American Journal of Advances in Nursing Research

A STUDY TO ASSESS THE KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE REGARDING SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN SELECTED COLLEGE RANIPET DISTRICT

Sivagami P*1 & Dr. Sumit Padihar

sivagamivenkataramani@gmail.com

Knowledge, Attitude, adolescents, Substance abuse

Adolescents are those in the age group of 10-19 years, constitute over 23% of the population of India. But this period of time is more under the influence of peer pressure, which drives them to take up smoking and drinking or to consume drugs .so this age group is vulnerable for swayed to the wrong side. The tendency to take risk encourages most teens to try smoking or drinking even before they are of legal age " what may start as thrill" can become a habit if it remains unchecked. Statement of the Problem: A Study to assess the knowledge and attitude regarding substance abuse among adolescents at selected college, Ranipet district. Objectives of the study: To assess the knowledge and attitude regarding substance abuse among adolescents in a selected college .To correlate the knowledge with attitude regarding substance abuse among adolescents in a selected college. To associate the level of knowledge and attitude with the selected demographic variables. Methodology: Nonexperimental descriptive research design was used for this study. 100 samples who fulfilled the inclusive criteria were selected by using Non-probability convenient sampling technique and assessed through self administered questionnaires. Result: The findings revealed that 62 (62%) had inadequate knowledge, 37(37%) had moderately adequate knowledge and 1(1%) had adequate knowledge regarding substance abuse and 67(67%) had moderately favorable attitude, 22(22%) had favorable attitude and 11(11%) had unfavorable attitude regarding substance abuse. Conclusion: The present study highlighted the importance of evaluating the knowledge regarding substance abuse among adolescents among 100 samples .1(1%) had adequate knowledge regarding substance abuse and attitude (67%) had moderately favorable attitude, there is statistically significant association was found for few variables such as religion, family history of substance abuse between the knowledge and attitude regarding substance abuse among adolescents with their selected demographic variables.