Drug knowledge and Attitudes among yuong people in Kyrgyzstan

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore the knowledge and attitude about substance abuse and illicit drug abusers among Kyrgyzstan young people (aged 17-24). Cross sectional survey was held among major educational institutions (Public schools, Professional Colleges and Universities) in Kyrgyzstan, February, 2012. Multistage random sample was generated in selecting educational institutions in a large urban city, located in the north of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek. Bishkek is capital city of Kyrgyzstan and also educational center, where main educational institutions are located and students from all over republic come to study. Study revealed majority of respondents view that drug dependence as an illness similar to other chronic conditions and are supportive of efforts to overcome it. Women hold slightly less negative attitudes toward drug abusers than do men, there was differences in attitudes toward perception of drug problem among students of different institutions, such as public school students were more likely to have negative avoidance attitudes toward drug abusers and perceive drug problem as a main threat for young people than students from colleges and universities. Parents’ education also played role in their attitudes and perception of drug problem, where students whose parents were with university degrees show more negative attitude than students whose parents had college education or no special education. 25% of respondents reported that they know someone who has or has had some kind of dependence on drugs. Generally speaking, those who have had contact with person with drug dependence had more positive attitudes toward such people than those who had not had such contact.