Towards an understanding of community-engaged efforts in addressing the youth substance use in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Le résumé fourni par la source

Youth substance use is a growing concern in the northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This study aims to enhance understanding of community training programs that prevent youth substance use by designing a comprehensive process map that illustrates the roles and interactions of key entities and individuals, including local churches, community workers, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). We also conducted surveys and interviews to further explore community-led programs. Five training centers have been built to help young adults gain professional skills and prevent them using substances. Our findings identified the four key groups in this process: youths, leadership team, teachers, and youth leaders. This study emphasizes the critical role of community engagement in addressing youth substance use and highlights the importance of further research opportunities for using technology to enhance training centers’ operational efficiency and impact. By addressing identified challenges, these training centers can become more effective in empowering youth and preventing substance use in the region.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.