Youth marijuana misuse and social workers’ perspectives on effective service delivery in Mbabane and Manzini Eswatini (Swaziland) : Guidelines for social work practice

Abstract

Marijuana misuse among youths is of global concern and, the increased levels of marijuana misuse among youths have raised concerns for health and clinical practice due to youths’ neurodevelopmental vulnerability, causing researchers to concentrate on this age group. In Eswatini, the phenomenon of marijuana misuse is very prevalent among youths, necessitating effective social work services. However, there is lack, need and a death of guidelines for social work practice with youths misusing marijuana. Such guidelines will allow social workers to help youths misusing marijuana through a variety of intervention. The study’s main purpose was to explore the experiences of youths misusing marijuana and social workers perspectives on effective service delivery within Mbabane in the Hhohho and Manzini in the Manzini regions of Eswatini (Swaziland). The qualitative research study aimed to generate contextually valid empirical evidence to inform guidelines for social work practice. The population groups for this study included youths who misuse marijuana and practicing social workers within the Mbabane and Manzini regions of Eswatini. The study’s target population included youths who have been misusing marijuana for 2 to 10 years and social workers who have experience working with these youths. Participants were selected through non-probability sampling techniques, with the assistance of gate keepers, specifically support group leaders who collaborated with the National Psychiatric Referral Hospital in Manzini. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 youths misusing marijuana and 5 experienced social workers. Data was analysed through the qualitative data analysis process. Based on the findings, guidelines for social work practice are provided together. Conclusions highlighted the need for guidelines for social work practice to enhance intervention strategies while recommendations provided for continuous professional development for social workers to deal with the phenomenon as well as the need for policy reviews towards positive mitigation of the phenomenon.