Factors Predisposing to Drug and Substance Abuse among the Youth in Gachie, Kiambu County, Kenya

Authors

  • Lucy Njeri Gateri Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
  • Dr. Tiberry Nyakwana Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Abstract

Drugs and substance abuse is the use of substances in a maladaptive manner leading to significant health status impairment, distress or a failure to meet personal's responsibilities. It manifests in the form of recurrent and repeated use of substances resulting into adverse health and psycho-social consequences especially among the youth. However factors that predispose to this condition have not been determined. The study determined factors that predispose to drugs and substance abuse among the youths in Gachie, Kiambu County, Kenya. Descriptive cross-sectional research design was carried out in the month of March 2017. The study population included residents of Gachie, aged between 19-35 years and willing to participate in the study. Desired sample size respondents was determined to be 73 using Fischer formula. Simple random sampling procedure was used to select the respondents. Structured questionnaires were used for data collection and data will be analyzed by SPSS 22 statistical package. Results were presented in form of percentages, tables and graphs. Results indicated that peer pressure, drugs availability and unemployment contributed to drug and substance abuse by the youth in Gachie Kiambu County. The drugs that were mostly abused were alcohol (62.5%), bhang (23.6%) and tobacco (11.1%). Peer pressure thrived at 87.5% among the youth who abused drugs with 50% of those convinced to consume drugs succumbing to the pressure. Youth acknowledged their engagement on drug and substance abuse to unemployment.

Keywords: Peer pressure, Unemployment, Predisposing factors, Drug and substance abuse and Youth

Author Biographies

Lucy Njeri Gateri, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Postgraduate Student

Dr. Tiberry Nyakwana, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Lecturer

References

Clay, M. (2004, April 1st). Increasing drug abuse in Kenya. Retrieved october 19th, 2016, from http://www.cyc net.org/features/ft-Kenya.html

Davey, G. (2004). Complete Psychology (1st Edition ed.). Holder and stoughton.

Eschardon, R., & Galvez, C. (2005). Free from Drugs and Addictions (1st Edition ed.). Editorial Safez.

Focus Adolescent Services. (2014). Retrieved september 20th, 2016, from http://www.focusas.org/issues/teen-substance-abuse/

Greer, I., Piercy, C. N., & Walters, B. (2007). Maternal Medicine (1st edition ed.). Churchill Livingstone.

Holmes, D., & Baker, P. N. (2006). Midwifery by Ten Teachers (1st Edition ed.). Holder Anorld.

Kliegman.R., Behrman, R., Jenson, H., & Staton, B. (2008). Nelson Text book of Paediatrics (18th Edition ed.). Saunders Elsevier.

Lawrence R, Melinda S, M.A., Joanna S, M.S.W., & Jennifer S. (2017). Drug Abuse and Addiction. Retrieved January 15, 2017, from HELPGUIDE.ORG: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/addictions/drug-abuse-and-addiction.htm

NCADD. (2016 , December 19 ). SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS. Retrieved December 28, 2016, from National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence: https://www.ncadd.org/about- addiction/signs-and-symptoms/signs-and-symptoms

Ndetei, D., Szabo, C. P., Okasha, T., & Mburu, J. (2007). Clinical Psychiatry and Mental Health

NIDA. ( 2012, December). Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition). Retrieved December 5th, 2016, from National Institute of Drug Abuse: file:///E:/Types%20of%20Treatment%20Programs%20_%20National%20Institute%20on

NIDA. (2014, July 1). Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction. Retrieved OCTOBER 15TH, 2016, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains- behavior-science-addiction/addiction-health

PSaddock, B. J., & Saddock, V. A. (2007). Synopsis of Psychiatry (10th Edition ed.). Klowers Wolters.

Pumariega A. J.; Rothe E.; Pumariega J. B. (2005). Substance abuse. Retrieved OCTOBER 10TH, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substance_abuse

Softkenya.com. (2011). Retrieved october 10th, 2016, from Drug Abuse in Kenya – Causes and Effects of Drug Abuse in Kenya: https://softkenya.com/education/drug-and-substance- abuse-in-kenya/

Sylvia W & Daniel W. (2014 , February 9th ). Shocking details of drug abuse in schools. Retrieved october 10th, 2016, from Standard Group Limited: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000104220/shocking-details-of-drug-abuse-in- schools

Wills, S. (2005). Drug of Abuse (2nd Edition ed.). Pharmaceutical Press.

Wood, C., Nyakwana, T., Oirere, B., Rabar, B., & Waithaka, P. M. (2008). Community Health

Downloads

Published

2018-03-30

How to Cite

Gateri, L. N., & Nyakwana, D. T. (2018). Factors Predisposing to Drug and Substance Abuse among the Youth in Gachie, Kiambu County, Kenya. Journal of Medicine, Nursing & Public Health, 1(1), 1–12. Retrieved from https://stratfordjournalpublishers.org/journals/index.php/Journal-of-Medicine-Nursing-P/article/view/119

Issue

Section

Articles