Assessing Ghanaian Teachers' Perceptions and Beliefs Regarding Substance Use Among School-Aged Children in Ghana

• Main Authors: Theresa Marie Hunter (Author), Cecilia Obeng (Author), Joseph Ogah (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 2345-5152; 2383-1219; 10.17795/intjsh-37256
• Keywords: substance use; school; ghana; teachers; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: International Journal of School Health, Vol 4, Iss 1, Pp 1-4 (2017)

<strong>Background:</strong> Substance use among school-aged children is an international public health concern. Rates of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use among school children in Ghana have been increasing. <strong>Objectives:</strong> The objective of this study was to assess Ghanaian teachers' beliefs and perceptions regarding substance use among school children in Ghana. <strong>Methods:</strong> A cross-sectional design was used. A sample of teachers from the Central and Ashanti Regions of Ghana completed a survey questionnaire assessing their perceptions of substance use among Ghanaian school children. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 23.0. T-tests and chi-square tests were used to identify associations between participants' demographic factors and beliefs regarding drug use among school-aged children. <strong>Results:</strong> The sample consisted of 289 teachers with over half (57.7%) of them being male, and ages ranging from 20-66 years old. The majority of the teachers (50.9%) indicated that they believed alcohol was the most common substance used by school-aged children in Ghana. Over 90% of them m indicated that they believe school children in Ghana will first use alcohol before they are 13 years old. Only 54.3% of teachers indicated that they are aware of drug policies in the schools where they teach. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> The results from this study should encourage the development and implementation of school policies on substance use and health education programs that discuss the risks and circumstances of substance use.