Abstract

PURPOSE: The household socio-cultural and economic predictors of drugs and substance abuse among high school students were investigated in Kisumu East Sub-County, Kisumu County.

STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION: The study was conducted in Kisumu East Sub County in Kisumu County within the community set up. The area has approximated total population of 220,997 with an area of 141.6 sq.km density of 1560 per sq.km with a total number of 61,388 households. It is made up of five wards and 12 village units. The area has a total of 33 secondary schools with a total population of 26,000 students out of which 12,800 are males and 13,200 females. Out of 33 schools, 28 are day schools drawing students from the community.  The main economic activities are quarrying, motorcycle ride, small scale businesses and farming. There is high rate of drop out of school among students due to the availability and accessibility of drug and substance abuse in the area as well as the geographical location. There are homes where bhang as well as local brew is sold at affordable cost.

METHODS AND/OR TECHNIQUES: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The study targeted high school students aged 15-25 years learning within the study area. Sample size of 434 was calculated using Yamane formula and the participants selected through Snow ball, random, cluster and stratified sampling. Demographic characteristics were summarized using tables while inferential statistic done using Chi square, binomial logistic regression and multiple regression. Data collection done through observation and questionnaires. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Parental expectations, psychological disorders or mental problems, family background, leisure activities and festivities, number of siblings in the family, cultural beliefs and practices, birth position of the student, family shock and the need to treat certain ailments were found to be significantly associated with the abuse of drugs and substance (p <0.05).

CONCLUSION: Lack of parental/guardian’s supervision and monitoring of the students movements, poor parent-child attachment due to inadequate family time, no communication on the dangers of drugs and substance abuse to students by the parents and high academic expectations by parents/guardians from students are the major contributors of drugs and substance abuse among students.

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