Abstract: Psychoactive substance-use (PSU) or abuse has always constituted a global social and health challenge. Quasi-experimental research design was used with three experimental groups and ninety high school students were purposively selected from three high schools in Ogun State, Nigeria. Data were gathered through a validated questionnaire with Cronbach’s alpha reliability score of 0.75. Findings revealed that between baseline and immediate post intervention, a significant difference (p < 0.05) in overall perception across the intervention groups (Grp1: t29 =-2.027; Grp2: t29 =-2.462) was observed, but there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in perception for Grp 3 (Control) (Grp3: t29 = -0.036) respectively. Between baseline and at 4th week follow-up, significant difference (p < 0.05) was seen in overall perception for Grp1 (t29 = -6.754) and Grp2 (t29 = -9.473), but no significant difference (p > 0.5) was observed for Grp3 (t29 = -1.036). The effect of changes produced by the intervention program given to Grp2 was more effective (Effect size: 2.32) than for Grp1 (Effect size = 1.85) in increasing adolescents’ perception to refuse psychoactive substance use. The study concludes that health education intervention programs do not only affect adolescents’ perception of PSU but becomes more effective when motivational counseling is added. It was recommended that motivational counseling be incorporated into health education programs at high schools or in drug awareness clubs at high schools.
Keywords: Psychoactive substance, drug perception, adolescent, motivational counseling, psychocognitive intervention, health education.
Title: Assessment of High School Adolescents’ Perception of Psychoactive Substance Use in Selected Schools in Ogun State, Nigeria
Author: Atulomah, N. O., Agbede, C, Panuel-Egwakhe, C
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
Vol. 10, Issue 1, April 2022 - September 2022
Page No: 70-83
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 09-June-2022
