INHALANT ABUSE AMONG PRE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE STUDENTS, MANGALURU: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: Cheap price, readily available, peer pressure and curiosity are some of the reasons to misuse the inhalants. The inhalant abuse is a major issue that affects the health and future of the youth but this issue is not considered as serious and that can be due to the lack of knowledge about the social effects and health problems caused by this behaviour or due to the imbalanced attitude towards this habit.

Aim: The study aims to find the level of knowledge and attitude on inhalant abuse among pre university college students.

Materials and Methods: Quantitative non-experimental descriptive study conducted among pre-university students of MMDRS PU College, Mangaluru on December 2021. 120 students were selected by non-probability purposive sampling technique. The data was stockpiled by using inhalant abuse knowledge test questionnaire and inhalant abuse attitude scale.

Result: It was found that majority 54(45.0%) of the students had good knowledge whereas, 45(37.5%) of them had very good knowledge, 14(11.7%) of them had average knowledge and 7(5.8%) of them had poor knowledge regarding inhalant abuse. Most of the 120 (100%) of the students were shown positive attitude towards inhalant abuse. Study showed positive correlation between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.243, n = 120, p>0.05). There is a significant association between level of knowledge and demographic variable such as age, religion and family income.

Conclusion: Students have a positive attitude towards inhalant abuse as evidenced by the 100% positive response rate in the surveyed sample. The results highlight the need for increased awareness and education regarding the risks and dangers associated with inhalant abuse among students.

Key words: Knowledge, Attitude, Inhalant abuse, Pre university college students.