Environmental and demographic factors influencing drug and substance abuse among secondary school students in Kisumu Town East, Kenya
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Date
2013-03-19
Authors
Nyatuoro, Joshua Otieno
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Abstract
Drug abuse is a major public health problem among the youth worldwide especially in
developingcountries. The accessibility, affordability, and consumption of abused drugs
by the youths have attracted great concern among public health personnel. The impact of
drug abuse in human health and well-being is substantial and its contribution ranges from
medical, social, family, legal and economic problems which are created by its
uncontrolled use. Thus, drug abuse-related problems among the youth cannot •be ignored. Evidence from around the world reveals that there is an upward trend in the misuse of
psychoactive drugs among the youth. There is limited documented information on the
extent of drug abuse among secondary school students Kisumu Town East, Kenya. The
main objective of this study was to investigate environmental and demographic factors
influencing drug and substance abuse among secondary school students in Kisumu Town
East, Kenya. The findings of the study would be used to guide policy in the control and
prevention of drug abuse in secondary schools. Descriptive cross-sectional study design
was used in the study. Stratified sampling was used to determine the number of boys'
schools, girls' schools and mixed schools to be selected. A total of eight schools were .
sampled proportionately in the ratio of 1:1:6 (boys, girls and mixed) respectively. The
study population in this study was students in public secondary schools in Kisumu Town
East, Kenya. Systematic random sampling was used to select respondents proportionate
to population size, the cluster and the school selected. A total of three hundred and
.twenty nine students were sampled for this study. Among the respondents, one sixty
seven were girls while boys were one hundred and sixty two. Data collection was done
through administration of structured questionnaire. Cross tabulation was used to show
interrelationship between the dependent and independent variables. Chi-square test was
used to test the existence of relationships between the variables and odds ratio used to
determine the strength of the risks on exposure (p<0.05 was considered statistically
significant). The study found out that demographic factors influencing drug and
substance abuse were gender (Odds ratio=l.90), mothers marital status at birth (p=O.03),
number of siblings (p=O.01) and area of residence (p=0.02). Some family environmental
factors influencing drug and substance abuse were mother's educational level and leisure
time (p=O.Ol) family health (Odds ratio=2.70 and expectation from parents (Odds
ratio=O.30). Some school environmental factors which influenced drug and substance
abuse were distance to the nearest wine and spirit shop (Odds ratio=2.22), guest speakers
(Odds ratio=O.62), school achievement (p=O.Ol), class repetition (Odds ratio=1.67),
satisfaction with school (Odds ratio=O.45) and non students abuse in school (Odds
ratio=1.89). The study recommended that the Ministry of Education should introduce
clear policies on drug abuse prevention in learning institutions and formulate strategic
plans which can promote academic achievements in schools as-a strategy in fighting drug
abuse in schools.