Factors associated with substance use among youth in colleges (18-25 years) in Mlolongo, Machakos County

Abstract

Substance use has been identified among the top problems confronting Kenya today especially among the youth. It affects people’s health as well as social-economic and social-cultural welfare. Most young people are exposed or involved in substance use at very early ages and this has become a subject of public concern worldwide partly because of its potential to contribute to unintentional and intentional bodily harm. Incidences of drug and alcohol use and related anti-social behavior have tremendously increased in recent years in Kenya. This has become a matter of concern to the Kenyan government and other sectors. Mlolongo, situated along Nairobi-Mombasa highway is a rapidly developing town with various colleges where majority of the students are the youth. It is an internationally recognized transit point for trucks where sex trade is rampant; Sex trade is known to be influenced by substance use, whose prevalence, and factors associated with the use has not been documented. The study therefore evaluated the prevalence of substance use, types of substances used and factors influencing substance use among youth attending various colleges located in Mlolongo. The cross-sectional study enrolled and consented 152 youth attending Machakos University College, St Joseph Vocational Training Centre and Rhematec Computer Training College. The sample was based on proportion to population, where systematic random and simple random sampling techniques were used in each college. Focus group discussions (FGD) and Key Informant Interviews (KII) were used to gather information about substance use and associated factors. Out of the 152 college students, 53.9% of them were female. The students mean age was 21.26 (SD 2.43) years with median of 21 years (range 18 to 25 years). Majority 46.7% of the youths were aged between 18 to 20 years. Most of them (88.2%) were single. Of the 152 college students in Mlolongo, 42 (27.6%) of them were using different substances. Among the 42 substance users, alcohol was the most commonly used substance (66.7%), followed by Miraa (19%) and Tobacco 14%; 92.9% of them felt high-experienced a unique feeling from their usual normal body functioning after using substances while 70% of them had used these substances for a duration between one and two years. Further, over half (54.8%) of the users had tried cutting down on the frequencies and quantities of consumed substance. Despite the use, majority 75.7% confirmed that substance use was against college regulations. Peer pressure 75%, poor parenting 19.1% and the ease of availability 15.1% were the commonly stated reasons for using substance. Married students (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.8), students who believed that it was wrong to use substances (OR 0.4, 95%CI 0.12 to 0.7) were less likely to use substances. On the other hand, students who believed that substance boosted their emotion (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.55 to 5.7) and those who stated that the substance affected their moods (OR 4.5, 95% CI 2.1 to 10.2) were more likely to use substances. From FGDs and KII discussions it emerged that a significant proportion of youths are using drugs. The trend on the rise of these cases was a big concern both to parents, leaders and the society as a whole. Some of the substances mentioned included; Tobacco found in cigarettes, cigars, bidis, and smokeless tobacco (snuff, spit tobacco, chew); Alcohol found in liquor, beer, and wine. Cannabinoids (marijuana and hashish). Opioids including heroin and opium. Stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamine. Further, factors associated with substance use among college youths in Mlolongo included lack of employment, poverty, easy of availability of these substances, peer pressure, poor upbringing and high cash flow. In conclusion, substance use among Mlolongo college students was high. Youthful factors such as demography, beliefs, and emotional needs greatly influenced substance use. Steps such as enforcement of substance use laws, youth skill empowerment for job creations, developments of rehabilitation facilities, integration of substance use and abuse in the education curriculum, and emphasis on guidance and counseling to control indiscipline in school are paramount in mitigating substance use.