TY - JOUR
PY - 2011//
TI - The Prevalence of Substance Use and its Associations amongst Students Attending High School in Mitchells Plain; Cape Town
JO - South African family practice (2004)
A1 - Hamdulay, Ali Mia
A1 - Mash, Bob
SP - 83
EP - 90
VL - 53
IS - 1
N2 - PURPOSE: In South Africa; there has been an increase in illicit drug trafficking and consumption and associated problems since the 1990s. Mitchells Plain in Cape Town is seen as a community battling with crime; gangsterism; unemployment; overcrowding; substance abuse and poverty. This study evaluated the actual prevalence of substance abuse amongst high school students in this community and factors associated with substance use. In particular; the study evaluated the use of tik (crystal methamphetamine); a relatively new drug.
METHOD: A cross-sectional study was performed amongst 12 secondary schools in Mitchells Plain; Grade 8 and Grade 11 classes were randomly selected to produce a sample of 438 learners. The students completed an anonymous questionnaire that contained enquiries on substance use; demographic and school performance details; and personal and sexual risks.
RESULTS: Lifetime and annual prevalenc ne (9.2/4.6); ecstasy (4.4/2.7); mandrax (2.1/0.9); solvents (3.0/0.9) and cocaine (0.9/0.9). Illicit substance use was significantly associated with age (OR 1.6; CI 1.2-2.2); substance use by other members of the household (OR 2.8; CI 1.2-6.3); carrying a knife (OR 10.9; CI 4.2-28.8); attempted suicide (OR 3.7; CI 1.4-9.5) and higher sexual risk (OR 1.6; CI 1.2-2.3) Conclusion: The prevalence of substance use amongst adolescent students attending high schools in Mitchells Plain; Cape Town; is high for all substances relative to national and international figures. Government officials; educators and health care workers are alerted to the need for more comprehensive interventions to prevent and treat substance abuse in this and similar communities Language: en
LA - en
SN - 2078-6190
UR - http://dx.doi.org/
ID - ref1
ER -