Socio-Economic Factors on Alcohol Abuse among the Youth in Kikuyu District, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish Factors Associated with high rate of Alcohol abuse among the youth in Kikuyu District, Kiambu County. It was guided by five research objectives focusing on the influence of peer pressure, parents and guardians, media, role model and social economic on youth engagement in alcohol. It used descriptive survey as well as questionnaire and interview guide as the main tools for data collections. The target population comprised of boys, girls and mixed secondary schools in kikuyu district. However for the purpose of data collection 285 form four students and 104 beer drinkers in pubs were selected. The data was analyzed using the SPSS which yielded frequency tables, percentages and mean. Through the data analysis the study revealed that most of beer customers are single. However, there are some who are married and other divorced.  This is an indication that more youth are engaged in beer taking compared to elderly people. The study also revealed that, majority of the people engaged in beer drinking have secondary education as their highest academic qualification, followed by KCPE holders tying with diploma holders and degree holders respectively. In the same category 60% of the students are engaged in beer taking compared to 40% non students. This was so because of many middle level colleges and the universities in the area. The study also established that 30% of secondary school students are engaged in beer taking. The rest of students involved in beer taking include 40%    tertiary colleges, 20% polytechnic students and 20% university students.

Key Words: Alcohol abuse among the youth, Kikuyu District, Kenya