Publication Date: 2024/02/07
Abstract: This research aimed to investigate the self- perceived health status of young individuals engaged in substance abuse within the Kinondoni Municipality of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The study addresses the paucity of knowledge surrounding substance abusers' perceptions of their health status. Grounded in the Health Belief Model, it combines elements of positivist and constructivist paradigms, employing a mixed- method research approach. The investigation adopts a cross-sectional descriptive survey design, integrating both quantitative and qualitative techniques. The primary target population encompasses youths involved in substance abuse and those with varying degrees of interaction with them. Data collection methods encompassed closed-ended questionnaires, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and documentary reviews, with methodological and theoretical triangulation to enhance data validity. Respondents and participants were sampled through random and purposive methods. Quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0, while qualitative data underwent content analysis. The results reveal that approximately 49% of respondents perceived their health status as poor, followed by 35% considering their health status fair (normal), and a mere 8.3% believing their health status to be good. The study's conclusion highlights the connection between individuals' perception of their health status and their propensity to seek health support. The researcher advocates for increased efforts to prevent and manage substance abuse among youth, emphasizing strategies that promote an understanding of the significance of recognizing one's own health status. Collaborative action between the government and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) is recommended to address individual health status and combat substance abuse in Tanzania.
Keywords: Self Perceived, Health Status, Substance use Disorders, Kinondoni, Tanzania.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10629062
PDF: https://ijirst.demo4.arinfotech.co/assets/upload/files/IJISRT24JAN340.pdf
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