The effects of men’s alcohol and drug abuse on women at household level in Mukuru slum of Embakasi, Nairobi city county

Abstract

Alcohol and drug abuse in Kenya, like in other countries, permeates every sphere of the society and threatens the very fabric of nationhood. Effective response to the challenge of drug abuse and mitigation of the negative effects of drug use relies mainly on accurate information on the extent and pattern of various drugs and substances abuse by different population segments. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of men‟s alcohol and drug abuse on women at the house hold level. The study focus es on the women at household level in Mukuru slums of Embakasi Nairobi County. The objectives of the study are to determine the magnitude of alcohol and drug abuse at the household level, to document the social, health and economic effects of alcohol and drug abuse among women and to find out coping strategies of women for alcohol and drug abuse within the family unit. The study adopted an exploratory design which employed qualitative and quantitative research methods, the study sample was 80 household, the main method of data collection being a standardized questionnaire which, was administered to women in the 80 households. Focused group discussions were used to generate more data on abroad overview of the ADA situation in the study area giving respondents an opportunity to share their experiences in detail. Findings of the study indicate that the magnitude of alcohol and drug abuse is high in the study area, with a majority of the respondents admitting that it is a big problem both at community and family level. The findings also show that there are social, economic and health effects emanating from the use of alcohol and drugs ranging from gender based violence, misused family resources, exposure to HIV and STI infections, high burden of disease, loss of eye sight and even death. Women have also adopted copping strategies for dealing with the ADA situation, the study indicates that a big percentage of the respondents turning to prayer and spiritual guidance to cope with the prevailing circumstances. The study recommends that, more studies should be done on the effects of ADA and how it affects women, then, establish specific interventions directed to the women who abuse alcohol and those who live with partners who abuse alcohol to help them cope. The study also recommends that treatment and rehabilitation programs across the board should be gender mainstreamed so that both men and women benefit equally from programs put in place