Abstract

Chepkorir Judith Taboi and Ndukui James Gakunga*

ABSTRACT

Background: Substance abuse is one of the major public health problem worldwide. It has really caused serious economic and social burden to people in different nations. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence and determinants of substance abuse among youths of Chang’ombe village in Kitengela Sub-county. Methods and Materials: Community based, cross-sectional study design was conducted among 129 youths in Chang’ombe village in Kitengela sub-county. Stratified sampling was used to select the participants. Results: Majority of the participants (57.4% n=74) were aged 21 to 25 years, and of male gender (72.9%, n=94). Majority (51.9% n=67) were single (not married). Majority (79.8% n=103) were Christians. Participants with secondary level of education majority were (64.3% n=83).Majority (72 n=55.8%) of the respondents were not employed. When family factors thought to influence substance abuse among youths were assessed, the study found that most (36.4%n=47) of the youths were brought up in a single parental home, a few (19.4%n=25) of the family members were drug addict, and majority (60%n=15) of them did so due to stress and pressures of life. Majority (84.6%n=105) of the youths reported to have received good parental care and guidance. The study established that most (42.6% n=55) of youths abused drug during their school going period. Majority (74.5%n=44) of them were due to peer pressure influence. Majority (68.2%n=88) of schools have put measures of preventing drug abuse by youths in school. Conclusion: Based on the quantitative analysis it can be concluded that socio-demographic characteristics like gender, marital status, the prevalence of substance abuse among youth of Chango’mbe village Kitengela Sub County was found to be 23.3%. On social demographic characteristics, level of education and occupation had significant association with substance abuse. Other factors such as age, the type of family an individual was raised in or being raised in a family where there is a drug user and peer group influence were found not to have a significant relation with drug and substance.