Prevalence and Patterns of Psychoactive Substance Use Among Somali Youth Living in Eastleigh, in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

The usage of psychoactive substances is on the rise in many communities, particularly among the youth, and is having detrimental effects on people's health, leading to millions of deaths annually. According to a report by National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) in 2004, the use of substances like alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, khat, and inhalants such as glue was widespread among young people between the ages of 10 and 24 in Kenya. Although the use of psychoactive substances leads to significant social and public health problems, the extent of the issue in sub-Saharan Africa is yet to be determined. This study aims to establish the prevalence and patterns of psychoactive substance use, as well as the demographic characteristics associated with its use, among the Somali community residing in Eastleigh, Nairobi, Kenya. This study was a cross-sectional survey study among consenting youth living in Easleigh North. Data is presented both in descriptive and inferential statistics. The sampled three areas in Eastleigh, known for drug abuse concerns, among sampled 270 households, out of a total of 9,408 households, aiming to interview one person per household. Data collection involved trained interviewers using questionnaires to inquire about demographics and drug use, focusing on the past 12 months. The study also utilized focus group discussions with youth aged 18 to 25, visiting sampled households for this purpose. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS version 23 to provide descriptive statistics, presented in tables and graphs illustrating psychotropic drug use categories, and significant consumption patterns were identified through t-chi-square tests based on demographic and environmental factors.This study found that 75% of youth use at least one psychoactive substance, miraa was the highest used Illicit substance (47.9%), while cannabis was the highest illicit used substances (23.9%) and prescription medication was found to be 10.3% use. Onset of all psychoactive substances was below 18 years of age. Comorbid use varied between Illicit psychoactive, (32.0% to 73.5%); illicit psychoactive substances (9.8% to 100%), Illicit substances and prescription medication (11.8% to 22.7%) and illicit substances and prescription medication (26.7% to 100%). 66.% reported reason for use to be peer pressure. Contributing factors to psychoactive substance use were other family members use (p=0.000), living conditions (p=0.003), family income (p=0.014) and gender (p=0.044). This recommends that policy makers for advocacy, sensitization, provision of appropriate treatment programs, and review training for public health workers. Recommendations for public health workers include the establishment of programs for preventions, treatment and databank, networks and linkages for referrals that incorporate other partners in mental health that include psychoactive substances