A Qualitative Exploration of Substance Abuse among the Nursing Students of Coastal Karnataka

Authors

  • Dharnappa Poojary1 , Madhumitha Muruganandam2 , Avinash Kumar3 , Ganaraja B,4 Sneha Shetty Bhoja5 , Trupti Bodhare6, Rashmi K S7

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v14i3.10470

Keywords:

drug abuse, nursing students, substance abuse

Abstract

Background: To explore the various perceived causes and solutions for substance abuse among the nursing

students in Mangalore, Karnataka, India.

Methods: Group of nursing students belonging to the second year participated in the study. A method of free

listing and pile sorting was employed to discover the causes and solutions for substance abuse.

Conclusion: The primary cause of substance abuse was found to be peer pressure with a salience value of

(0.945) followed by enjoyment (0.614), family problems (0.486). Cognitive mapping revealed the causes

of being grouped under three major headings: psychological imbalance, adaptation to modern lifestyle, and

unhealthy family environment. The solutions suggested by the students were counseling and rehabilitation

with the highest salience value (0.751), awareness about the adverse effects at an early age (0.637). Cognitive

mapping portrayed the solutions grouped into headings like therapies and treatment, external sources, family

care, and support. Factors such as peer pressure, academic pressure, and easy availability of drugs can be

looked into by external institutions to root out the evils of substance abuse

Author Biography

  • Dharnappa Poojary1 , Madhumitha Muruganandam2 , Avinash Kumar3 , Ganaraja B,4 Sneha Shetty Bhoja5 , Trupti Bodhare6, Rashmi K S7

    1Associate Professor, 2.Undergraduate, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of

    Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka India, 3 Associate Professor, Dept. of Community Medicine, 4.Additional Professor, Dept. of Physiology,5.Associate Professor, Dept. of Physiology, Kasturba Medical College,

    Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka, India, 6.Professor, Dept. of Community

    Medicine,Velammal Medical College Hospital & Research, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India 7.Assistant

    Professor,Dept.

    of Physiology, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal,

    Karnataka, India

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Published

2020-07-30

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 3 (2020): Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology

Section

Articles

License

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/deed.en

How to Cite

A Qualitative Exploration of Substance Abuse among the Nursing Students of Coastal Karnataka. (2020). Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 14(3), 813-819. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v14i3.10470