Abstract

According to the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), drug overdoses in Mississippi increased by 49% in just one year from 2019-2020. Death rates from synthetic opioids such as fentanyl more than doubled (MSDH, 2023). More than 106,000 persons in the U.S. died from drug-involved overdose in 2021, including illicit drugs and prescription opioids (NIDA, 2023). In the past, community-based distribution of Naloxone, a life-saving opioid reversal agent, resulted in more than 26,000 lives saved from 1996- 2014. The US Surgeon General and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) have designated naloxone as a high-priority intervention for lowering opioid overdose mortality. Overdose deaths among college students have risen substantially over recent years due to the opioid epidemic. The purpose of this study was to determine Mississippi college students’ awareness of opioid overdose signs and symptoms, their knowledge regarding Naloxone, and its use in opioid overdoses. The researchers used a descriptive, quantitative design to assess the student’s knowledge regarding opioid overdose and naloxone administration. Data was collected from a convenience sample of students ages 18 and older and was organized via a Qualtrics survey. The study was conducted across multiple college campuses, including both universities and junior colleges, across Mississippi. Surveys were delivered electronically utilizing a QR code via a mass email send out and flyers with the QR code posted throughout the campuses. After data collection, the data was subjected to analyses using descriptive statistics. The study examined Mississippi college students' awareness of opioid overdose signs and knowledge about Naloxone. Analysis of 101 survey responses revealed high awareness: 72.3% know how to respond to an unresponsive person, 86.1% recognize overdose symptoms, and over 93% would intervene in an overdose situation. Students also demonstrate strong Naloxone knowledge, scoring an average of 5.63 on a 7-point scale. Demographic factors like age, gender, and college type don't significantly affect knowledge scores. Overall, Mississippi college students show a high theoretical understanding of opioid overdoses and Naloxone, but misconceptions and lack of awareness about campus access need to be addressed to ensure effective real-world application.

Degree

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Department

Graduate Nursing

Degree Date

2024

First Advisor

Dr. Alena Groves

Document Type

Thesis

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