Awareness and Attitudes Towards Prevention of Diseases Associated with Drug Use: A Gender-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract: The present study aimed to assess awareness regarding diseases associated with drug use, examine attitudes towards their prevention, and determine the relationship between awareness and attitudes among men and women. The study also examined whether significant gender differences existed in awareness and attitudes towards the prevention of diseases associated with drug use. A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional research design was adopted. The study included 51 participants, comprising 29 male and 22 female participants. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire consisting of structured questions assessing awareness and attitudes, along with one open-ended question in each section. The closed-ended awareness items were scored to obtain a total awareness score ranging from 0 to 10, while the attitude items were scored to obtain a total attitude score ranging from 10 to 30. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, an independent samples t-test, and Pearson's Product-Moment Correlation. The findings indicated a mean awareness score of 8.61 (SD = 1.42) and a mean attitude score of 27.57 (SD = 2.20). No statistically significant gender difference was observed in awareness, t(49) = 0.074, p = 0.942, or attitude, t(49) = -0.831, p = 0.410. However, a statistically significant positive relationship was found between awareness and attitudes towards the prevention of diseases associated with drug use, r = 0.394, p = 0.004. The findings suggest that higher awareness was associated with more positive attitudes towards prevention in the present sample. The study highlights the relevance of health education and prevention-oriented initiatives and provides a basis for further research using larger and more diverse samples.
Keywords: Awareness, Attitudes, Drug Use, Disease Prevention, Health Education
How to Cite?: Vijay Karthik Acharya, Dr. Richa Gupta, "Awareness and Attitudes Towards Prevention of Diseases Associated with Drug Use: A Gender-Based Cross-Sectional Study", Volume 15 Issue 10, October 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 542-548, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR261008164104, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR261008164104