actors Associated with Substance Abuse by Students in Medical Training Colleges in South Nyanza Region, Kenya

Abstract

Substance abuse is a worldwide public health challenge with college youth being among those affected. An estimated 10-15 % of students in medical training institutions risk substance abuse in their lifetime as they are not immune to the predisposing factors associated with the abuse. The conduct and efficiency of medical training college (MTC) students as future healthcare professionals may be impacted negatively by substance abuse; consequently, the patients are at risk. In Kenya, substance abuse is prevalent among college youth though data on the factors associated substance abuse by students in MTCs are still unclear. South Nyanza, the study area lies within marijuana transit route along Kisii -Migori road from Tanzania to Nairobi, Kenya. The objective of the study was to determine the factors associated with substance abuse by students in MTCs in South Nyanza Region. Cross-sectional descriptive study design was used.

A Systematic Review of Substance Use and Substance Use Disorder Research in Kenya

“…Other topics explored:In addition to prevalence and associated factors, these studies explored other topics including agreement between self-reported alcohol use and the biomarker phosphatidyl ethanol ( 92), primary health care workers self-e cacy for SUD management ( 93), reasons for substance use (27,30,94,95), and tobacco quit intentions(96). Papas et al (92) reported a lack of agreement between self-reported alcohol use and the biomarker phosphatidyl ethanol among PLHIV with AUD.…”

“…In that study, higher self-e cacy correlated with a higher proportion of patients with AUD in one's setting, access to mental health worker support, HCW's cannabis use at a moderate risk level, and belief that AUD is manageable in outpatient settings. Common reasons for substance use included leisure, stress and peer pressure among psychiatric in-patients ( 30), curiosity, fun, and peer in uence among college students (94); peer in uence, idleness, easy access, and curiosity among adults in the community (27); and peer pressure, to get drunk, to feel better and to feel warm among street children (95). Atwoli et al 2011 (97) reported that most students were introduced to substances by friends while Astrom et al 2004 (98) reported that HCWs, parents and school teachers were not discussing tobacco harms with youth.…”

“…2. The prevalence of emerging substances was investigated by only one study (140). These substances are increasingly becoming a public health threat globally (141) yet their use remains poorly documented in Kenya…”

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“…The highest prevalence rate for the use of prescription medication was reported as 21.2% among PWID [190]. One study each reported on the prevalence of emerging drugs [122] and ecstasy [153]. The studies were both conducted among adolescents and youth.…”

“…Five studies investigated the reasons for substance use. Common reasons for substance use included leisure, stress and peer pressure among psychiatric patients[28], curiosity, fun, and peer influence among college students [123], peer influence, idleness, easy access, and curiosity among adults in the community [25], and peer pressure, to get drunk, to feel better and to feel warm among street children [74]. Atwoli et al 2011 [72] reported that most students were introduced to substances by friends.…”