Individual Factors Associated with Substance Use Among Rural High School Learners in Limpopo, South Africa
1
Public Health and Health Systems, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Substance use among high school learners is a major public health problem all across the world and South Africa. It has devastating effects on the health, and social wellbeing of learners, as well as educational process.
OBJECTIVES:
This study sought to explore the associated factors of substance use among high school learners in the Motetema circuit, South Africa. Furthermore, it looked at the participants’ lived experiences about the substance use problem among high school learners.
METHODS:
The study followed a qualitative research approach by employing the phenomenological research design. The study included 10 learners, 05 boys and 05 girls from various high schools in Motetema circuit as well as 07 key informants using an interview guide as a data collection method. Data were then analyzed using a thematic approach.
RESULTS:
The study found individual factors such as; curiosity, personal problems, behavioural problems to contribute to substance use by high school learners in the Motetema circuit, South Africa.
CONCLUSIONS:
As far as the findings of the study are concerned, substance use prevention ought to be improved, through consistent and targeted awareness campaigns in the local schools involving other relevant stakeholders. Learners have to receive constant psychosocial support and mental health services to cope with personal problems that encourage them to use substances as well as behavioural modification programs. Educators also need to be provided with mental health support services to cope with disruptive and uncontrollable learners in the school environment
Substance use among high school learners is a major public health problem all across the world and South Africa. It has devastating effects on the health, and social wellbeing of learners, as well as educational process.
OBJECTIVES:
This study sought to explore the associated factors of substance use among high school learners in the Motetema circuit, South Africa. Furthermore, it looked at the participants’ lived experiences about the substance use problem among high school learners.
METHODS:
The study followed a qualitative research approach by employing the phenomenological research design. The study included 10 learners, 05 boys and 05 girls from various high schools in Motetema circuit as well as 07 key informants using an interview guide as a data collection method. Data were then analyzed using a thematic approach.
RESULTS:
The study found individual factors such as; curiosity, personal problems, behavioural problems to contribute to substance use by high school learners in the Motetema circuit, South Africa.
CONCLUSIONS:
As far as the findings of the study are concerned, substance use prevention ought to be improved, through consistent and targeted awareness campaigns in the local schools involving other relevant stakeholders. Learners have to receive constant psychosocial support and mental health services to cope with personal problems that encourage them to use substances as well as behavioural modification programs. Educators also need to be provided with mental health support services to cope with disruptive and uncontrollable learners in the school environment
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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