Family factors and prevalence of drug and substance abuse amongst youth in institutions of higher learning in Mombasa County, Kenya

Drug and substance abuse is a major public health issue globally with serious socio-economic burden especially among the young population between the ages of 18 to 30 years enrolled in various institutions of higher learning. The objective of this study was to establish how family factors influence the prevalence of drug and substance abuse amongst youth in institutions of higher learning in Mombasa County. The study adopted descriptive research design and data collected using questionnaire from a sample size of 340 respondents selected through simple random sampling from a target population of 2977 students from KMTC-Port Reitz Campus, Mombasa polytechnic University and Nairobi University while analysis involved descriptive statistics. Findings showed that lack of direction and purpose in life, lack of monitoring, rejection, isolation and spiritual emptiness influenced drug and substance abuse amongst youth in institutions of higher learning in Mombasa County. The study recommends that parents need to ensure that children form appropriate bonds and learn age appropriate behaviors by being positive role models and showing their children the negative aspects of substance abuse. Further, projects should be set up to ensure that determinants of the prevalence of drug and substance abuse amongst youth in Mombasa County are addressed and consequently eradicated.