Prevalence and Perception of Substance Abuse and Associated Economic Indicators and Mental Health Disorders in a Large Cohort of Kenyan Students: Towards Integrated Public Health Approach and Clinical Management
Abstract
Background
The earlier younger people begin to use drugs, the more vulnerable they become to both their short term and long-term harmful effects. The overall aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of alcohol and other drug use, the socio-demographic characteristic, perception of use and associated economic indicators and mental disorders and how they inform potential intervention in a cohort of Kenyan students.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional study on a total of 9,742 high school, college and university students. The researchers used tools to document socio-demographic characteristics, economic indicators, alcohol and other drug use and related perceptions and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) related psychiatric disorders.
Basic descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations for numerical variables and frequencies for nominal and ordinal variables) were done. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association and odds ratios between the use of a given substance and the use of the other substances, as well as associations with the various available socio-demographic factors and economic indicators. Chi-squared tests were used in socio-economic characteristics disaggregated by current alcohol use.
Results
The mean age was 21.4 ± 2.4; median = 21.3 (range 15–43) years.
This study found a wide range of different use of addictive substances. Alcohol use disorder and addiction was the commonest and inhalants were the least, with different perceptions. Both alcohol and other drug use problems were associated with various economic indicators and various mental disorders.
Conclusion
This study has established for the first time in Kenya the multifaceted associations and predictors of alcohol and other drug use problems in a cross-sectional student population ranging from high school to college and university levels.
In the process, the study contributes to global data on the subject. These associations call for an integrated and multifaceted approach in addressing alcohol and other substance use problems.
This approach should take into account various associations and predictors as part of a holistic approach in both public awareness and clinical interventions.