Drug-Abuse and Prevention Strategies Among Secondary-School Athletes Participating in Football and Athletics in Port-Loko District, Northwest Region, Sierra Leone
Abstract:
This study investigates the prevalence of drug abuse
among secondary schools’ athletes participating in football and athletics within
the Port-Loko District, North-west-region of Sierra Leone. Rising
concerns about the impact of drug use on athletic
performance, health, and academic
success necessitated a comprehensive analysis of the factors contributing to
substance abuse in this demographic through a mixed methods approach, including
surveys/questionnaire, interviews and focus group-discussions with athletes,
coaches, sport masters and parents. The research identified key trends in drug consumption, motivation behind usage,
and the socio-economic factors influencing these behaviors. The
population of the study included 400 pupils athletes in selected secondary-schools
within Port-Loko District formed the population and sample size 200 was done by simple random sampling and
purposive sampling. Data was collected
with instruments like questionnaires, interviews and focus-group-discussions.
Data was analyzed using the IB-SPSS software version 25 and results translated
into tables and charts. Findings revealed that considerable proportion of
athletes are exposed to various substances, predominantly stimulants, and
performance-enhancing drugs, often driven by the pressures to excel in sports
and the absence of adequate knowledge regarding the risks associated with drug
use. The research underscores the critical role of peer-influence, accessibility of drug,
and the need for improved educational resources.
In response to these findings, the research proposes targeted prevention
strategies tailored to the unique-environment of secondary-school sports.
Recommendations include the implementation of comprehensive drug-education-program,
increase involvement of stakeholders and parents in sports education, and the
establishment of support system that encourage healthy-life-style choices among
youth-athletes.
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