Abstract:
The use of alcohol and other substances among students at institutions of higher learning impacts
negatively on their studies, therefore affecting academic performances. The purpose of this study was to
investigate prevalence of alcohol, drugs, other substances use and abuse among students of Kirinyaga
University (KyU), categories of drugs used or abused, factors contributing to the use or abuse of the substances,
suppliers of the substances, suppliers, impact on performance, memory, extent of addiction to the substances
and to propose means of overcoming the challenge. Using a descriptive survey, all registered KyU students
(2006) were stratified and systematically sampled using class attendance registers as the sampling frame and
programmes as the sampling units. A sample size of 270 (n= 270) was calculated and proportionately allocated
to the strata of Degree and Diploma students. Significantly, 34% of male students’ respondents required more
of the drugs to get high indicating addiction. Furthermore, there was a significant difference (Chi square
value=3.89; p-value =0.048); P<0.05) between the male and female students’ respondents in their requirement
for more of the drugs to get high, indicating an increased risk of addiction to the drugs and the other
substances. Males student’ respondents were more likely to use or abuse drugs, other substances and also more
likely to get addicted than their female student’ counterparts.
