Epidemiology of Psychoactive Substance Use and Associated Factors among Adolescents: A Descriptive Study of Selected Secondary Schools in South West Education Division, Blantyre, Malawi

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of use of psychoactive substances among adolescent learners in South West Education Division, Blantyre in Malawi. The study was guided by Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behaviour.

Methodology: A descriptive study design was done and simple random sampling technique was used. Data was collected in November (2018), n=191, Adolescent students were involved. Mixed research methodologies were used, in which both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies were employed in data generation and analysis. SPSSv20 and Excel were used in quantitative data analysis and qualitative data was analysed thematically.

Results: The study involved 191 participants and the findings revealed that 24.6% of partcipants used psychoactive substances.

Conclusion: Adolescent learners who use psychoactive substances like any other user of these substances hence they require help. Accordingly secondary schools have to take the necessary steps to address this problem including introducing counselling and psychotherapy services in secondary schools.

Author(s): John Kuyokwa, Symon Chiziwa, Miriam Chinkhata and Daniel Muyila

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