Factors influencing the consumption and control of Khat among the youth in Igembe South District ...

99 Pages·2016·2.23 MB·English

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE CONSUMPTION AND CONTROL
OF KHAT AMONG THE YOUTH IN IGEMBE SOUTH DISTRICT,
MERU COUNTY, KENYA
BY
| 0/^
NG’ETHE JANET WANJIRU
A RESEARCH PROJECT REPORT SUBMITTED IN FULFILLMENT
FOR THE REQUIREMENTS OF MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE IN
PROJECT PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT, UNIVERSITY OF
NAIROBI
2012
*
DECLARATION
This research report is my own original work and has not been presented for award of
degree in any other university.
Signature: ... ................................... Date: . ^ | Z
Ng’ethe Janet Wanjiru
L50/61944/2011
This research report is presented for examination with our approval as university
supervisors
Signature........................................................ Date Zp.l.Zc .....
Professor T. Maitho
Department of Public Health, Pharmacology and Toxicology
University of Nairobi
Signature............ Date
Mr. Rugendo Chandi
Lecturer
Department of Extramural Studies
University of Nairobi
ur.uiv.A i iui>
I dedicate my research report to my beloved parents Mr and Mrs Ng’ethe Mukuria for their
understanding during the entire period of my study and support.
m
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I wish to acknowledge the guidance, support and consistent instructions of my supervisors
Professor T Maitho and Mr. Rugendo Chandi while preparing the project report.
I also wish to thank the lecturers who taught me during the first year of study. Finally I
wish to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to my classmates for their moral
support.
IV
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
DECLARATION.................................... .....ii
DEDICATION........................................ __iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT..............r^,r ....iv
is
LIST OF TABLES.................................. ......xi
LIST OF FIGURES................................ ........ ....xiii
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ....xiv
ABSTRACT............................................ .... xv
CHAPTER ONErINTRODUCTION... .....1
1.1 Background to the study.......... .....1
1.2 Statement of the problem......... .....3
1.3 The Purpose of the study.......... .....3
1.4 Objectives of the Study............ .....3
1.5 Research Questions.................. ........................................ .....4
1.6 Significance of the research..... .....4
......*
1.7 Delimitation of the Study......... .....4
1.8 Limitation of the study............. .....5
1.9 Basic assumptions of the study. .....5
1.10 Definition of significant terms .....5
1.11 Organisation of the study....... ....6
CHAPTER TWOcLITERATURE REVIEW .....7
2.1 Introduction................................................. .....7
2.2 Historical Background ofkhat.................... ......7
v
2.3 Global overview of drug abuse among the youth......................................................10
2.4 Effects of Khat Consumption......................................................................................14
2.4.1 Health Effects of Khat Consumption........................................................................14
2.4.2 Social consequences of khat chewing.......................................................................15
2.4.3 Dependence...............................................................................................................16
2.4.4 The Psychoactive effects of khat abuse....................................................................16
2.4.5 Socio-economic effects.............................................................................................16
2.4.6 Family and marital problems...................................................................................17
2.5 Control of drugs of abuse............................................................................................17
2.6 Challenges encountered in prevention and control of Khat Consumption................18
2.6.1 Corruption.................................................................................................................18
2.6.2 Lack of support from producing areas......................................................................18
2.6.3 Economic impact of Khat trade................................................................................19
2.6.4 Traditional practices and cultural barriers................................................................19
2.7 Theoretical Framework of the study...........................................................................20
CHAPTER THREE-.RESEARCH METHODOLOGY..............................................23
3.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................23
3.2 Research Design...........................................................................................................23
3.3 Target Population.......................................................................................................23
3.4 Sampling Procedure.....................................................................................................23
3.5 Data Collection Instruments.........................................................................................24
3.6 Data Collection Procedure...........................................................................................24
3.7 Validity of the Research Instruments...........................................................................25
vi
3 .0 IxUllClUl 1 1 13 U l U1U l\WOWtUV/ll .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................^ u
3.9 Data Analysis...............................................................................................................25
3.10 Ethical Considerations...............................................................................................25
3.11 Operationalization of variables..................................................................................26
CHAPTER FOURrDATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND
INTERPRETATION......................................................................................................29
4.3.1 Age of the respondents............................................................................................29
4.3.2 Gender of the respondents.......................................................................................30
4.3.3 Title of the respondents............................................................................................30
4.4 Drug abuse in secondary schools................................................................................31
4.4.1 Popular drugs of abuse taken in secondary schools................................................31
4.4.2 Drugs ever taken by respondents............................................................................32
4.4.4 Drugs currently being taken by students..................................................................33
4.4.5 First drug of abuse taken by respondents.................................................................33
4.4.6 Frequency of taking khat..........................................................................................34
4.4.7 Age at which respondents started taking khat...........................................................35
4.5 Factors contributing to khat consumption.................................................................36
4.5.1 Introduction to khat consumption............................................................................36
4.5.2 Location of taking khat.............................................................................................36
4.5.3 Suppliers of khat.......................................................................................................37
4.5.4 Reasons why the respondents take khat..................................................................38
4.5.6 Ease of obtaining drugs of abuse..........................................................................39
4.5.6.1 Ease of obtaining alcohol......................................................................................39
4.5.6.2 Ease of obtaining Khat...........................................................................................40
vii
4.5.6.3 Ease of obtaining marijuana..................................................................................41
4.5.6.4 Ease of obtaining cigarettes..................................................................................41
4.5.6.5 Ease of obtaining cocaine.....................................................................................42
4.5.6.6 Ease of obtaining heroin.......................................................................................43
4.5.7 Attitude towards taking drugs of abuse...................................................................43
4.5.7.1 Attitude towards taking alcohol............................................................................43
4.5.7.2 Attitude towards khat consumption......................................................................44
4.5.7.3 Attitude towards taking marijuana................................................................45
4.5.7.4 Attitude towards taking cigarettes................................................................45
4.5.7.4 Attitude towards taking cocaine....................................................................45
4.5.7.5 Attitude towards taking heroin......................................................................46
4.6 Control of Khat consumption.................................................................................47
4.6.1 Teacher’s approval of Khat consumption..............................................................47
4.6.2. Action taken due to khat consumption in school...................................................47
4.6.3 Training on drug abuse control................................................................................48
4.6.4 Involvement in activities aimed at controlling drug abuse.....................................48
4.6.3 Effectiveness of the strategies used in the fight against drug abuse.......................49
4.6.4 Respondents who have been given talks about drug abuse....................................50
4.6.5 Presence of clubs dealing with drug abuse in schools............................................51
4.6.6 Preferred source help...............................................................................................51
4.6.8 Reasons for trying to stop taking khat.....................................................................52
4.6.9 Control of khat consumption in schools..................................................................53
4.7 Effect of khat consumption.........................................................................................54
vm
4.7.1 Knowledge of the effects of khat consumption........................................................54
4.7.2 Amount of money spent on khat...............................................................................54
4.7.3 Influence of khat consumption on ones social life...................................................55
4.7.4 Influence of khat consumption on academic performance......................................55
4.7.4 Effects of drug abuse................................................................................................56
4.8 Challenges faced in the fight against khat abuse.........................................................56
4.10 Qualitative Analysis.................................................................................................57
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, DISCUSSION, CONCLUSIONS
AND RECOMMENDATIONS.....................................................................................59
5.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................59
5.2 Summary of Findings...................................................................................................59
5.2.2 Level of awareness of the health effects due khat consumption by the youth in
Igembe South..................................................................................................................60
5.2.3 Strategies employed in the control of khat consumption in Igembe South District. 60
5.2.4 Challenges faced in the control of khat consumption in Igembe South District.....60
5.3 Discussion....................................................................................................................61
5.4 Conclusions..................................................................................................................62
5.5 Recommendations........................................................................................................62
5.4 Suggestions for further Research...............................................................................62
REFERENCES.................................................................................................................64
APPENDICES............................................................. 72
Appendix 1: Introduction Letter........................................................................................72
Appendix 2: Questionnaires for students...........................................................................73
ix
Appendix 3: Questionnaire for the leaders........................................................................79
Appendix 4: Sampling table...............................................................................................81
Appendix 5: Questionnaires for the Guidance and counseling Teachers.........................82
Appendix 6: Interview schedule for youths.......................................................................84
Appendix 7: Observation schedule....................................................................................85
x