INFLUENCE OF DRUG ABUSE AWARENESS ON DRUG ABUSE REDUCTION AMONG THE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES IN NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Purpose: The study aimed at determining the influence of drug abuse awareness on drug abuse reduction among the undergraduate students in public university campuses in Nairobi County, Kenya

Methods: The study used Triangulation mixed methods design that adopted convergent parallel mixed method model. Cross-sectional survey research design was used for quantitative data while phenomenological design for qualitative data. Stratified random sampling and purposive sampling was used to select the sample. The sample consisted of one thousand, five hundred and twenty four (1524) participants who included 1500 students, 20 peer counsellors, two university counsellors and two deans of students. Questionnaires, interview and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) guides were used to collect data. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21 was used to analyse quantitative data while NVIVO was used to analyse qualitative data. Descriptive statistics were used in analysis of quantitative data while thematic and content analysis techniques were used to analyse qualitative data.

Results: The study revealed that in general drug abuse awareness has led to reduction of drug abuse among undergraduate students in public university campuses in Nairobi County.

Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommended that the policy makers in collaboration with the ministry of education should formulate policies that guide on suitable environment in which university campuses should be situated.

Keywords: Drug abuse, awareness, reduction, undergraduate students, public university campuses, Nairobi County.