Prevalence of Psychoactive Substance Use Among Undergraduate Students at Chirunga College, Malawi.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of use of psychoactive substances among undergraduate students at Chirunga College in Malawi. The study was guided by Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behaviour. Mixed research methodologies were used, in which both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies were employed in data generation and analysis. SPSSv20 and Excel were used in quantitative data analysis and qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The study involved 147 participants and the findings revealed that (34%) of students used psychoactive substances. It recommends that undergraduate students who use psychoactive substances like any other user of these substances, require help. Accordingly, as an institution of higher learning, Chirunga College has to take the necessary steps to address this problem; including introducing counselling and psychotherapy services at the institution