Influence of drug abuse on students academic performance in public universities. A case of Uasin Gishu county in Kenya

Abstract

This study seeks to examine the influence of drug Abuse on students’ academic performance in public universities in Uasin Gishu County. Specifically, the study sought to establish the effects of the drugs as a contributing factor to poor performance by students in Moi University, University of Nairobi, Kisii University, Laikipia University and University of Eldoret. Substance use among college and university students predicts substance related problems in later life. Few studies on this phenomenon have been carried out in schools in rural areas, and most focus on urban and secondary school students. This study therefore aimed to establish the prevalence and factors associated with drug use among university and college students in a rural area. The target population was 18,099 respondents consisting of 9college administrators and 18,090 students in Uasin Gishu County. The sample size was 400 respondents, made up of 9 college administrators and 391 students. The data was collected by use of questionnaires, interviews and supplemented by personal interviews where necessary. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics after data cleaning and coding. Quantitative data was analysed using frequency counts, means and percentages while qualitative data was analysed by tallying the numbers of similar responses. Results of data analysis were presented using frequency distribution tables and bar graphs. The study established that more students were able to access drugs and more are at risk of being influenced to start using drugs. The study therefore recommends for stricter measures on addressing the supply and use of drugs, and also to provide more funds to fight and assist students who are addicts and increase the number of students who graduate as well as increase quality of education. The findings of this study should stimulate continuous debate on drug abuse in academic institutions and also provide valuable insights that the government, stakeholders, scholars and researchers can rely on their collective endeavour of addressing the challenges and making the fight against drug abuse initiative a success. The study findings hoped to provides a guidance upon which recommendations are made. It is expected that this study will lead to a better understanding to the major contributors to student’s academic performance. A Drug is any product other than food or water that affects the way people feel, think, see, and behave. It is a substance that due to its chemical nature affects physical, mental and emotional functioning. It can enter the body through chewing, inhaling, smoking, drinking, rubbing on the skin or injection.