Substance Use Related Mental Health Literacy Among Medical And Nursing College Students

ABSTRACT

Background: Mental Health Literacy (MHL) for Substance Use and related disorders in college students is important as adolescents are at high risk for initiating substance use due to peer pressure and social influences. Poor knowledge about harmful effects of substance and positive association between poor knowledge and negative attitude towards substance users is observed in college students. Aims: Study aimed to assess the Substance Use related Mental Health Literacy in Medical and Nursing College students at Tertiary Care Hospital attached to Medical College. 2Methods:It was a cross- sectional observational study in 2nd and 3rd Year Medical and Nursing college students. Substance Use related ‘Knowledge and Attitude Addiction Questionnaire for Adolescents’ (KAAQA),( 31 items with ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response) a self-reported questionnaire was used. IEC permission was taken. Written Informed consent was taken from all participants. Data analysis was done by SPSS version 15. Results: Majority of students (76.1%) reported that substance abusing youths are influential in their group. Majority (90.4%) knew the harmful effect of substance. Nursing students had low knowledge and negative attitude towards substance use and users as compared to Medical students. Compared to nursing students, low self intake of substance and increase assertiveness was found in medical students. Conclusion: Study identified low knowledge and attitude of students towards Substance Use. It highlighted the need for more awareness programs in medical and nursing colleges to promote a better understanding of substance use and problems related to it and designing intervention and support programs.