Assessment of the level of knowledge about the effects of drug addiction on mental health and associated factors among government secondary school students in Lemikura sub-city, Addis Ababa.

Abstract

Background: Education is the most powerful weapon for struggling against poverty while achieving the developmental goal of a specific state. Drug abuse as a social phenomenon is one of the health problems of today. Tobacco, khat, alcohol, and marijuana are among the list of substances used by many globally and cause public health challenges due to their negative effects on the mental, and social well-being of individuals who use them. Objective: To assess the level of knowledge about the effects of drug addiction on mental health and associated factors among government secondary school students in Lemikura sub-city. Method: A school- based cross-sectional study was conducted in randomly selected government secondary schools that are found in Lemikura sub-city from August to December 2023. The study used simple random sampling techniques to select the study subjects. The collected data were coded, cleaned and entered into SPSS computer software version 25 for final analysis and the results were presented using tables and graphs. A multivariable logistic regression was done to identify associations between the dependent and independent variables. Result: There was a 92% response rate, 230 study subjects filled out and returned the questionnaires. Among the respondents, 80.0% demonstrated good knowledge about the effects of drug addiction on mental health. Fathers with elementary or no formal education showed a lower impact (AOR: 0.381, 95% CI: 0.166-0.872, p = 0.022) on their child's understanding of addiction's effects compared to fathers with higher education levels. Conversely, open discussions about drug addiction within the family significantly improved understanding (AOR: 2.847, 95% CI: 1.397-5.800, p = 0.004). Similarly, a structured mini-media campaign by the school significantly enhanced knowledge (AOR: 0.326, 95% CI: 0.151-0.706, p = 0.004) of addiction's effects on mental health in government secondary school (10th grade) students. Conclusion and recommendations: Most study subjects have good knowledge, and the key factors with having good knowledge were the respondents’ father's education, open discussions with parents, and the presence of structured media in school. Establishing mini-media centers in government secondary schools for accurate drug addiction information and encouraging open discussions within families and among students about the effects of drug addiction on mental health are recommended.