Perception of Acquisition Health Skills for the Prevention of Substance Abuse Among In-School Adolescents

Anthonia Ejifugha, G Ekenedo
unpublished
The study aimed at determining students' perception of health skills to be acquired against substance abuse among in-school adolescents in Imo State. One research question and five hypotheses addressed the purpose of the study. Survey research design was used for the study. The accessible population for the study constituted of all in-school adolescents in Imo state. Using the multi stage sampling technique, 603 secondary students in Imo state constituted the sample size for the study. A
more » ... red questionnaire consisted the main instrument for data collection. Face validity from three jurors from health education, was used in validating the instrument. The reliability coefficient was 0.76. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The result of the study revealed that avoidance of the use of disruptive coping mechanism for problem solving e.g. anger or depression (= 2.88 SD = 0.39), avoidance of peer pressure that lures one into drug abuse (= 2.66 SD = 0.69), acquisition of social competencies (= 2.72 SD = 0.63), quit from having friends who are alcohol addicts (= 2.79 SD = 0.52), and abstinence from tobacco use as a way of life (= 2.75 SD = 0.55) were health skills. All these items were perceived to be very important health skills for the prevention of substance abuse. Gender, the person responsible for family health care, educational qualification of parents and family typology had significant effects on students' perception of health skills to be acquired in the prevention of substance abuse. Students' perception of health skills to be acquired in the prevention of substance abuse was not significantly affected by status of single World Scientific News 29 (2016) 74-87-75-parenthood. The study recommended that school and parents should strategize means of training adolescents to be skill conscious in the prevention of substance abuse. The emphasis should be on being role models among friends and peers in acquiring health skills for the prevention of substance abuse.
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