Abstract:
The study was on Substance use on students in public and private universities in Uganda. It was conducted in urban public and private universities in Uganda. Students were the unit of analysis. Informants were studied for some good period of time. Occurrences - culture, characteristics and substance use behaviors were noted. The study was of Qualitative in nature and used a Positivism philosophy backed with Health Belief Model (HBM) by Rosen stock, supported by the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) which was proposed in 1975 by Martin Fishbein. Students perform a health behavior having reasoned about the positive and negative consequences. Terms like Susceptibility, Perceived benefits, Perceived barriers, Self efficacy and Clue to barriers were borrowed from HBM. Preventive, Illness and Sick-role behaviors that were pathways to the substance use behavior were borrowed from HBM. These pathways were used in studying related literature, designing research instruments, collecting data, analyzing and interpreting it. The study found out that: Students have created their own new life where there are no outsiders like elders. When in groups, in their privacy, students do all sorts of manner, substance use inclusive. Students don't care about their future. They have lost hopes. University dropouts don't go back to their homes in the countryside. They always remain around the university premises struggling to survive. Students accept their substance use behavior as part of their life. HIV is being transmitted because of substance use influence. The use of alcohol and illicit drugs has greatly increased the risk of STDs/STIs among students. The study recommended that: There should be enough programs of substance use awareness (Expected barriers). The government should identify, empower and equip peers. Peers be the pathways of educating, guiding and controlling students. Religious leaders should come in to give hope. Health service providers should target communities (ghettoes) around the university premises, where students are, always. HIV awareness, testing, prevention and treatment should be put in more effort. Students should develop a habit of health seeking behavior especially for medical checkup or where never they suspect any sort of disorder.
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