Drug abuse, mental health and perceptions about gayism among Makerere-Kikoni ghetto youths

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between drug abuse, mental health and Peoples’ perception about gayism among the ghetto youth of Makerere Kikoni Zone 1. The objectives of this study were to find out the relationship between drug abuse and mental health, to find out the relationship between drug abuse and ghetto peoples’ perception about gayism, to find out the relationship between mental health and ghetto peoples’ perception about gayism. A cross-sectional, quantitative study design was used and simple random sampling method was used to select the study participants. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire from June 2023 to July 2023 after obtaining informed consent from the participants. The sample size of the study was calculated based on results from previous study conducted on the same topic in the study area. A total 146 ghetto youths were included in this study. Majority 90(62%) were males while 56(38%) were females. According to age distribution, majority 66(45%) were in the age range 18-25 years, followed by 43(29%) aged 26-31 years and 37(25%) aged 32-35 years. Majority of the youths were single 76(53%), 38(25%) & 32(22%) were engaged and married respectively. Majority 64(44%) of the youths had part time employment followed by 54(37%) self-employed and 28(19%) with full time employment. The mean drug abuse score was 5.89(SD±5.47). Majority 64(44%) were low drug abusers, followed by 27(18%) intermediate and 23(27%) scored 11 to 15(substantial). 20(14%) were non-drug abusers while only 12(8%) were severe drug abusers. Regarding the mental health analysis, the total mean score was 53.3 with a standard deviation of 11.8. Majority 94(64%) had poor mental health while the minority 52(36%) of the youths have good mental health. Regarding perceptions about gayism, the total mean score was 22.6 with a standard deviation of 9.9. Majority 117(80%), had negative perception about gayism while 29(20%) had positive perceptions regarding gayism. The Pearson analysis yielded a correlation coefficient value (r) of 0.3, indicating a moderately positive association between drug abuse and mental health as well as perception about gayism and drug abuse (r=0.3) with a P-value of <0.05. There is a weak positive association between mental health and perceptions on gayism (r=0.2) and a p-value of <0.05. There is a moderately positive association between drug abuse and mental health as well as perception on gayism and drug abuse. There is also a weak positive association between mental health and perceptions on gayism. This study recommends further investigation into the intersectionality of these factors. Understanding how mental health and drug abuse affect perceptions about gayism, and vice versa, could provide valuable insights into the overall well-being of social dynamics of the gay community.