INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue IX September 2025
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Mothers’ Knowledge and Attitude on Early Identification of
Substance Abuse in Children
Vibin P V
1
, Swaliha US
2
, Sreethu K
3
, Pranav Sudhi
4
, Prof. Shine Thomas
5
,Prof. R.Mageswari
6
1 2 3 4
BSc Nursing students, KMCT College of Nursing, Kozhikode, Kerala, India
5 6
Professor, Principal, KMCT College of Nursing, Kozhikode, Kerala, India
DOI: https://doi.org/10.51244/IJRSI.2025.120800325
Received: 01 Sep 2025; Accepted: 07 Sep 2025; Published: 11 October 2025
ABSTRACT
Substance abuse is a common phenomenon worldwide and has become one of the most significant social
issues, adversely affecting human society. Substance abuse refers to a maladaptive pattern of drug use that
leads to negative consequences and encompasses a range of cognitive, behavioural, and psychological
symptoms. The present study aims to assess mothers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding the early
identification of substance abuse in children. The objectives of the study were: to assess mothers' level of
knowledge, to assess their attitudes, and to determine the association between demographic variables and
mothers’ knowledge and attitudes on the early identification of substance abuse in children. The conceptual
framework was based on the Health Belief Model. The tools used included a socio-demographic proforma,
self-structured knowledge questionnaires, and an attitude rating scale. A pilot study was conducted, followed
by data collection among 100 mothers selected from rural areas of Kozhikode. Data collection began with the
administration of the socio-demographic proforma, followed by self-structured questionnaires and the attitude
rating scale. The data were tabulated and analysed. The findings showed that a majority of mothers had
excellent awareness (61%), 21% had good awareness, 10% had moderate awareness, and 8% had low
awareness. The majority exhibited a positive attitude towards early identification of substance abuse among
children (81%), 17% had a moderate attitude, and 2% had a negative attitude. There was a significant
association between education level and knowledge, as well as a significant association between family
relationships and mothers’ attitudes toward the early identification of substance abuse in children.
Keywords –Knowledge, attitude, Substance abuse, early identification, mothers
INTRODUCTION
Substance abuse has become a widespread issue globally, posing significant social challenges and harm to
societies. It represents a maladaptive pattern of drug use that leads to serious consequences, including a
spectrum of cognitive, behavioural, and psychological symptoms. Among Indian adolescents, commonly
abused substances include tobacco and alcohol, but there are also reports of the use of illicit drugs such as
cannabis, opium, and even intravenous drugs like heroin. Recent trends indicate that children are increasingly
engaging in the injection of multiple drugs, frequently sharing needles, which puts them at greater risk for
HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis B and C infections. Substance abuse poses a growing public health challenge in
India, affecting people across diverse age groups. According to a 2019 national survey by the Ministry of
Social Justice and Empowerment, 14.6% of Indians aged 10–75 consume alcohol, with about 5.7 crore
individuals identified as problematic or dependent users. Cannabis is used by 2.8% of the population, while
opioids—such as heroin, opium, and synthetic variants—are consumed by about 2.1%, with around 77 lakh
people in need of treatment. Given these concerns, the current study seeks to evaluate mothers’ knowledge and
attitudes regarding the early detection of substance abuse in children.
1,2,3,4,5
Problem statement
A study to assess the mother’s knowledge and attitude on early identification of substance abuse in children in
rural areas of Kozhikode.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue IX September 2025
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Objectives
 To assess the mother’s knowledge on early identification of substance abuse in children.
 To assess the attitude of mothers towards early identification of substance abuse in children.
 To find the association between the level of knowledge of mothers on early identification of substance
abuse in children and selected demographic variables.
 To find the association between the attitude of mother’s towards early identification of substance abuse
in children and selected demographic variables.
Hypothesis
H1- there is a significant relationship between mother’s knowledge regarding early identification of substance
abuse in children and selected demographic variables
H2- there is a significant relationship between attitude of mother’s regarding early identification of substance
abuse in children and selected demographic variables
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
The study was based on the health belief model.
METHODOLOGY
Research approach-Quantitative research approach
Research design-A: Non-experimental research design (descriptive design).
Population-The Population selected for the present study was Mothers of children in rural areas in Kozhikode
Sample Size:100
Sampling technique: Non-probability convenience sampling technique
Settings of the study: Mothers of children in Rural areas in Manassry area, Mukkam
Variables: Knowledge and attitude of mothers on early identification of substance abuse in children
Demographic variables: Age, education, religion, type of family, occupation, monthly income, number of
children, age of children, gender of children, family history of substance abuse, and relationship between
family members.
TOOL
Section A- Demographic proforma
It consists of 11 questions to collect Age, religion, education, occupation, type of family, number of children,
age of children, gender of children, monthly income, family history of substance abuse, and relationship
between family members
Section B – Self-Structured Questionnaire
It consists of 15 questions to assess the knowledge of mothers regarding the early identification of substance
abuse in children
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue IX September 2025
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Section C – Likert Scale
It consists of 15 items to assess the attitude of mothers regarding the early identification of substance abuse in
children
Data collection
Data collection was started after obtaining ethics committee clearance and permission from ethical authorities
at KMCT Hospital. The subjects were selected by non-probability convenience sampling
Ethical considerations
The research proposal was presented in front of the research committee of KMCT College of Nursing and
approval was obtained. Ethical clearance for the study was obtained. Informed consent was obtained from the
subjects.
RESULTS
Section 1
Demographic variables of selected mothers: according to age, among the 100 sample, 29% were in the age
group of 21- 30 years, 28% were in the age group of 31-40 years 36% were in the age group of 41-50, and 7%
were in the age group of 51 and above. According to religion, out of 100 sample, 42% were Hindu, 46% were
Islam, and 12% were Christian. according to educational status, among the 100 sample, 2% were Primary
school, 2% were middle school, 12% were high school, 36% were pre-degree, 38% were graduates, and 10%
were post-graduates and above. According to the occupation, among the 100 sample, 61% were unemployed,
20% were in the private sector, 13% were in the government sector, and 6% were self-employed. according to
the type of family, among the 100 sample 73% were nuclear families and 27% were joint families. according
to the number of children, among the 100 sample, 16% had 1, 57% had 2, 26% had 3, and 1% had 4 and
above. according to the occupation, among the 100 sample 15% had < 5 years, 17% had 6-10 years, 25% had
11- 15 years and 43% had 16-19 years. according to the gender of children, among the 100 sample, 60% were
male and 40% were female. According to the monthly income, among the 100 sample, 74% were APL and
26% were BPL. According to the family history of substance abuse, among the 100 sample, 76% had no
family history and 24% had a family history. according to the relationship between family members, among
the 100 sample, 97% had satisfactory relationships and 3% had unsatisfactory relationships.
Table 1: Frequency (percentage) distribution of sociodemographic characteristics of the sample
Demographic Variables
Frequency
Percentage
AGE
21-30
31-40
41-50
Above 51
29
28
36
7
29
28
36
7
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue IX September 2025
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RELIGION
Hindu
Islam
Christian
Others
42
46
12
0
42
46
12
0
EDUCATION
Primary school
Middle school
High school
Pre degree
Graduate
Post graduate and above
2
2
12
36
38
10
2
2
12
36
38
10
OCCUPATION
Unemployed
Government sector
Private sector
Self employed
61
20
13
6
61
20
13
6
TYPE OF FAMILY
Nuclear
73
73
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue IX September 2025
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Joint
Extended
27
0
27
0
Number of children
1
2
3
4 or above
16
57
26
1
16
57
26
1
Age of children
Less than 5
6-10
11-15
16-20
15
17
25
43
15
17
25
43
Gender of children
Male
Female
60
40
60
40
Monthly income
APL
BPL
74
26
74
26
Family history of substance abuse
Yes
76
76
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue IX September 2025
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No
24
24
Relationship between family
members
Satisfactory
Unsatisfactory
97
3
97
3
Section 2:
The study shows that 61% had excellent awareness, 21% had good awareness, 10% had moderate awareness
and 8% had low awareness.
Table 2:Frequency distribution of knowledge level of mothers on early identification of substance abuse
Level of knowledge Frequency(f)
Excellent awareness 61
Good awareness 21
Moderate awareness 10
Low awareness 8
Section 3:
The study shows that 81% had a positive attitude, 17% had a moderate attitude, and 2% had a negative
attitude regarding early identification of substance abuse in children.
Fig.1. The figure shows the distribution of frequency and percentage of the sample according to attitude.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue IX September 2025
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Section 4:
There was a significant association between the knowledge score of the sample and education, a significant
association between the attitude of the sample and the relationship between family members, and there was no
association with other demographic variables.
DISCUSSION
A similar study was conducted in 2023 to assess the level of knowledge regarding substance abuse among
college students. The research methodology used in the study was a descriptive research design, and the
sampling technique used was convenience sampling. The sample size was 135 students. The data was
analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Major findings of the study among demographic variables
were, 77.04% had average knowledge regarding substance abuse and 21.48% had poor knowledge while
1.48% had good knowledge.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. A similar study can be replicated as a large sample and in other settings.
2. A similar study can be conducted by using quasi quasi-experimental design
3. The follow-up study can be done to assess the effectiveness of a structured teaching program in mothers of
children to identify substance abuse early.
CONCLUSION
The present study assessed the knowledge and attitudes of mothers regarding the early identification of
substance abuse in children. Utilizing a descriptive research design and a non-probability convenience
sampling technique. The sample size was 100. Data were collected using a self-administered demographic
proforma, a structured knowledge questionnaire, and an attitude rating scale. The findings revealed that 61%
of mothers exhibited excellent knowledge, while 21% had good knowledge, 10% moderate knowledge, and
8% low knowledge regarding early identification of substance abuse. In terms of attitude, 81% demonstrated a
positive attitude, 17% a moderate attitude, and only 2% a negative towards early identification of substance
abuse.
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue IX September 2025
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5. Times Of India. (2024, June 26). 23% Indians Addicted To Drugs, 90% Of Them Remain
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