Establishing the influence of School Infrastructure on Drug Abuse among Secondary School Students in Naivasha Sub- County, Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

Drug abuse is a rampant problem in secondary schools and colleges in Kenya. High number of students are abusing drugs while in school. Some studies have indicated a correlation between drug abuse and school infrastructure. This study sought to investigate whether school infrastructure influenced secondary school students in Naivasha Sub County into drug abuse. The study employed a descriptive survey research design and was guided by Social cognitive theory by Albert Bandura and the Modified Social Stress Model by Rodes and Jason and as modified by World Health Organization/Programme on Substance Abuse (WHO/PSA). The target study population was 31,626 respondents comprising 63 deputy principals, 63 guidance and counselling teachers and 31,500 students. A sample of 20 percent was considered suitable for schools. Therefore, 13 schools were randomly sampled for the study. Sampling for students was based on Krejcie and Morgan (1990) matrix whereby 380 students (form 2 and 3) were sampled. Simple random sampling method was used to select student respondents. Teacher counsellors and deputy principals were purposefully selected from the 13 sampled schools. A total sample size of 406 respondents was obtained. Three questionnaires presented in Likert scale were used in the study targeting students, teacher counsellors and deputy principals. The questionnaires were checked and validated by expert psychologists and counsellors from the Laikipia University, Department of Psychology, Counselling and Education Foundations. In ensuring reliability, test re-test method was applied by administering the questionnaire in a pilot study in two schools in the neighbouring sub-county of Gilgil. Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) values of 0.753, 0.812 and 0.823 were obtained for students, Deputy Principals and teacher counsellors respectively; indicating a high positive correlation. Frequencies, percentages and means were computed by use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. The results revealed that school infrastructure influenced drug abuse among secondary school students in Naivasha sub-county. Based on the findings, the government, entrepreneurs and school administrators need to put up conducive infrastructure in schools because of its contribution in the reduction of drug abuse amongst students. However, research across Kenya would give a wider perspective on how school infrastructure influenced drug abuse in secondary schools. Keywords: Drug abuse, influence, school infrastructure, school administrators, students