Kembo, Emily Kalungali2012-04-042012-04-042012-04-04http://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/3723The LC 192.2.K4The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors associated with drug use among the primary school pupils in Mathare Division of Nairobi Province. The study focused on the following variables. 1. Gender 2. Socio -economic status 3. Parental Influence 4. Family environment 5. Peer influence 6. Availability of Drugs 7. Knowledge of Drugs The subjects of the study comprised of standard eight primary school pupils (N-425). Simple Random Sampling was used to select nine schools from twenty seven schools in Mathare division in Nairobi. A self report questionnaire was used to elicit information from the standard eight pupils. This questionnaire was developed for the study for the study and administered to the subjects at one sitting per school. SPSS computer software was used for analysis. Chi-square (Xsquare) method of statistical analysis was used to test the null hypotheses as the data was of nominal level. Cross-tabulations were utilised to summarise the results. Percentages and frequencies were used to describe the variables. The findings of the study indicate that gender has a significant influence in the pupils drug use. It was also found that both parents use of drugs and the fathers use of drugs had a significant influence on the pupils drug use. Friends and siblings' use of drugs were also significant influences in pupils drug use as was the pupils high knowledge of drug terminology. On the other hand, socio-economic status, family environment, availability of drugs and having knowledge on drug were found not to be statistically significant in influencing pupils drug use. On the basis of these findings, some suggestions for consideration in the future were made. There is need, for example to investigate other variables like mass media and pupils personality. There is also need to educate the children, parents and the community on drugs and drug abuse.enDrug Abuse--Social aspects--Kenya//Drug abuse--CounselingThesis