Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Among Bethlehem Universities’ Students Regarding Drugs Addiction and Available Services رسالة ماجستير

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices among Bethlehem universities’ students regarding drugs addiction and available treatment services at Palestinian National Rehabilitation Center in Bethlehem City. This thesis used the quantitative and qualitative analytical descriptive approach, in order to achieve the main goal of the study. The researcher built the study tools being a questionnaire and a semi structured interviewing schedule. Data were collected, analyzed and compared with previous studies for commonalities and differences. A total of (359) male and female university students from Bethlehem Palestine Ahliya University and Dar Alkalima Universities completed the study questionnaire, and (10) beneficiaries from the services of Palestinian National Rehabilitation Center (PNRC) whose treatment plans were disrupted as a result of converting the center into a Covid-19 treatment center were interviewed. More than two thirds (66.3 %) of the respondents agreed that addiction is considered a disease. More than )42 %( said that drugs release stress. Around )48%( of respondents believe drugs give their bodies energy. Around )70 %( agreed that the higher of the cultural/ financial level are, the less drug addiction tendency is and vice versa. Overall, the study provided evidence that the majority of respondents have moderate knowledge, moderate to excellent positive attitudes, and moderate positive practices about drug addiction, addicts, and available rehabilitation services in PNRC. The study recommends public awareness and organized campaigns on addiction and available services, especially among youth, and calls upon the Palestinian Ministry of Health to enhance and promote addictions services as the only addiction service facility in Palestine.