Drug use, risky sexual behaviors and depression among adolescent students at Ndejje University

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the relationships between risky sexual behaviors, drug abuse, and depression among students at Ndejje University School of Psychology. A total of 132 participants were included in the study. The data was collected through questionnaires and analyzed using correlational techniques. The findings revealed that there were no statistically significant linear relationships between risky sexual behaviors and depression (0.445>0.05), risky sexual behaviors and drug abuse (0.445>0.05), as well as drug abuse and depression (0.635>0.05). These results suggest that the interactions between these variables are complex and influenced by various factors. The study recommends the implementation of health and counseling services, awareness campaigns, and collaborations with external organizations to address the challenges faced by students. Future research could expand the scope of the study to multiple universities and employ longitudinal designs to better understand the dynamics of these behaviors over time.