Psychoactive Substance use continues to be major risk behaviour among youths,
accompanied with physical and /or mental health complications/consequences. Despite
of problems caused by psychoactive substances, knowledge, attitudes and practices of
psychoactive substances among secondary school students in Tanzania is a relative new
area at least in practice.
The objective of this study was to determine Knowledge, attitude, and practice of
psychoactive substances use among secondary school students in Dodoma Municipality,
Tanzania. The study used both qualitative and quantitative methods. The estimated
sample size was 402. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS where descriptive
analysis was done to obtain frequencies, mean and standard deviation. Qualitative data
was analysed by thematic framework analysis.
A total number 402 students participated in the study with majority of them being
females 50.3 % (n=208). Majority of the participants defined correctly various
terminologies on psychoactive substances 99.3 %,( n= 399) and 85.1%, (n=342)
mentioned different types of psychoactive substances found in their areas. Only 6.5% of
the surveyed students’ had history of psychoactive substance use. Furthermore over 90%
of the students believed that psychoactive substances can negatively affect students
academically. Additionally, 8.5% of the surveyed students have reported to have used psychoactive
substances. This study found that secondary school students have adequate knowledge
on the different types of psychoactive substances and their effects on their psychosocial
lives. However, most of the participants did not agree on the use of psychoactive
substances.
Call for attention is for those who abuse various psychoactive substances because they
are at risk of developing substance related disorders in future if they continue using
them.