EFFECTS OF DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE ON EXAM PERFORMANCE AMONG HIGH

SCHOOL STUDENTS, IN MPEKETONI SCHOOL IN MOMBASA COUNTY, KENYA.

BY

PRUDENCE AUMA OLOO (EP13/03620/16)

BELYNDA ONDIGO (EP13/17236/15)

MARYGORETTY TALAM

A RESEARCH PROPOSAL SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATES SCHOOL IN PARTIAL

FULFILLMENT FOR THE REQUIREMENT OF THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF
ARTS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CURRICULUM IN EDUCATION MANAGEMENT OF EGERTON
UNIVERSITY.

MARCH, 2018.
DECLARATION

We declare that this project documentation is our original work and has never been submitted or
used as part for the award of a degree or any other certificate in any institution of higher learning
and any institution approved by the ministry of education. No part of this may be reproduced
without prior written permission of the author.

Sign: ………………………………………………….Date:…………………………………………………………………..

Sign:…………………………………………………………..Date:……………………………………………………………..
DEDICATION

We dedicate this project to God Almighty our creator, our strong pillar, our source of inspiration,
wisdom and understanding since he has been the source of our strength throughout the research.
We also dedicate it to all the group members who were very active during the research
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We wish to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of various individuals who in one way or the
other contributed towards the success of this project. Our appreciation goes to our supervisor, Dr
Margret Njagi whose contribution and constructive criticism has pushed us to expand the kind of
effort we have exerted to make this work as original as it can be. Through her we have experienced
true research and our knowledge on the subject matter has been broadened. We will never forget
you Doctor.

Our utmost regard goes to our parents and guardians who painstakingly laid the foundation for our
education giving it all it takes. We are and we will forever be grateful to our group members who
dedicated their time by participating in the group and doing everything possible to achieve this.
 ABSTRACT

Drug abuse at any age can cause serious health effects on and academic performance. To be more
specific getting intoxicated can have a negative impact on students ability to perform well in both
classes and exams. The main objective of this study was to examine the impacts of drug abuse on
students’ academic performance in Mpeketoni High School in Mombasa County.

A sample of twenty students and three teachers were selected for our study. The results indicated
that both teachers and students understood drug abuse to the misapplication of drugs. A number of
factors were implicated for causing drug abuse. This included negative peer influence, poor parental
guidance and provision and poorly communicated rules and expectations. It was also found that the
use of drugs affects cognitive development, leads to low school attendance and school dropout.

The study employed cross-sectional design and the questionnaire was first pilot-tested to ensure its
validity and reliability. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the research data.

The study recommends that the school administration should set up guidance and counseling offices
facilitated by professionals to counsel students who indulge in drug abuse. The National
Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) should encourage peer education among students in order to
reduce the influence that negative peer pressure exerts on students.

Parents and teachers should discourage students and be firm in ensuring that students do not take
drugs which are most abused in schools. The parents should also ensure they do not give so much
money to their children and if they do so, they should ensure that the money is put into a
constructive use.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Declaration…………………………………………………………………………………………………...

Dedication………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Acknowledgement…………………………………………………………………………………………

Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Abbreviation………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Definition of terms……………………………………………………………………………………………
 ABREVIATIONS

NCCE National Commission for Civic Education

DEFINITION OF TERMS
 CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the problem

Drug and substance abuse in the world is a worse disaster than HIV/AIDS, cancer and feminine
combined (Kaguthi, 2004 cited by Murimi, 2012). In today’s society more and more adolescents are
experiencing with using drugs regularly (Pretoria 2000 cited by Murimi, 2012). Drug abuse a situation
where narcotic drugs and even pharmaceutical drugs are abused, is a social canker that cuts across
the social strata of all countries. Research has however shown that developing countries are not
exempted and that drugs abuse has grown to such magnitude that it is becoming a threat to the
health and performance of students.

According to WHO (2004), the effects of misuse of drugs on students’ achievements revealed that
the the school is a place many kids start experimenting with drugs. The WHO indicated that drugs
have become more and more common among high school students and there was an increase in
drug use among students. This has raised a lot of public concerns among policy makers in various
parts of the world, especially, with political apathy continuing to rise, almost as fast as the increasing
violent crime rate (Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2006).

According to EMCDDA (2014), main drugs abused in the World today range from the socially
accepted like Alcohol, Tobacco, Mira and Caffeine to the outlawed ones such as Heroin, Cocaine and
Cannabis Sativa (Bhang). Continentally, Drug and substance Abuse is not a new idea and their effects
are deep rooted in the African communities and this has been widening day after day.

In Mombasa County, the problem has speeded at a large percent where by the youth like students
from Secondary schools have been noted to be taking drugs and abusing substances. The study on
the same provide evidence that heavy drinking and drug consumption lead to a lower schooling
among the youth and the academic performance declines besides increased rates of school
dropouts. They also risk falling into unplanned pregnancies, violence and infectious diseases like
HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis (Makoye, 2015)

In Kenya, reports of young people’s lives ruined by Alcohol and Drugs are rampant. The Youth
especially, are vulnerable to the vice owing to peer pressure, media influence, poor guidance and
role modeling (Kikuvi, 2009 Cited by Murimi, 2012). This has taken root in schools leading to high
dropouts and idleness, in Communities leading to laziness, on productivity and engaging in
dangerous activities like prostitution and criminal gang.
1.2 Statement of the Problem

Drug and substance abuse is a worldwide phenomenon, and this occurs in almost every country, be
it developed or less developed. Drug abuse among the Youth and young adults in Kenya and more
specifically in Mombasa County is responsible for lost wages, destruction of properties in schools in
social areas or community levels, soaring health care cost and broken families. Despite eradication
efforts by various agencies like NGOs, CBOs, FBOs and Government agencies in Kenya, the Country
still remains a major supplier of some drugs such as Cannabis which is one of the most commonly
abused drugs (NACADA, 2014). Worst is seen when most of the drugs and substance abused get out
of the Country through the Mombasa port putting into a risk the local population. It is in this
background that this study sorts to find out the effects of drug and substance abuse on youth
development among the students in Mpeketoni School.

1.3 Objectives

i. to determine the extent to which drug and substance abuse influences level of Education
among students in Mpeketoni high school.
ii. to find out the extent to which drug and substance abuse influences economic productivity
among the students in Mpeketoni high school.
iii. to examine the influence of drug and substance abuse on teenage pregnancies among
students in Mpeketoni.

1.4 Research Questions

i. What is the extent to which drug and substance abuse influences level of education among
students in Mpeketoni High school?
ii. To what extend does drug and substance abuse influences economic productivity among
students I Mpeketoni School?
iii. What is the influence of drug and substance abuse on teenage pregnancies among the
students in Mpeketoni School?
1.5 Justifications
The study will be useful to Educationist, Curriculum Planners Researchers, Teachers Students
and resource persons. The study will help the guidance and counseling unit to find out hoe
Drug abuse causes poor academic performance and school attendance among students and
to give them appropriate guidance and counseling.

It will also be of help to Kenya Education Service in coming out with the code of conduct for
concerning drug use and the measures to cab it .Furthermore it will also help parents and
guardians on hoe to give needed parental care, support and supervision to their wards in
order to prevent them from abusing drugs. It will also add up to the available literature on
the topic and other researchers interested in the topic will find the study useful.

It will help to discover the appropriate agent and agencies that are responsible in providing
drug abuse Education to students. The outcome of the study will also enlighten students on
the effects of drug abuse and the need to prevent them. Finally, the study will inform
curriculum planners and designers on the necessary teaching and learning methods and
resources that need to be put in place in order to ensure effective implementation on drug
abuse Education among Students in order to reduce it.
1.6 Definition of terms

Drugs: The World Health Organization WHO (2004) defined drug as any substance which
when taken into living organism, may modify one or more of its functions. Also in medicine,
a drug is any chemical agent used for the treatment, cure, prevention and diagnosis of
diseases (Hansen, 2000).

Abuse: According to Rundell and Fox (2000), abuse is the use of something in a bad,
dishonest or harmful way.

Drug and substance abuse: Plested and Smitham (2007) state that Drug Abuse is the use of
illegal Drugs or the misuse of prescription or over-the –counter drugs for the purposes other
than those for which are meant to be used.

Youth: the term refers to young and energetic person who are economically productive in a
community

Drug misuse: the term used commonly when prescribing medication with sedative
anxiolytic analgesic or a stimulant property are used for mood alternation or intoxication
ignoring the fact those overdose of such medicine have serious adverse effects
 CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter reviews thematically the relevant literature guided by the research objectives.
The chapter outlines the concept of drugs and substance abuse in Kenya, literature under
the various sub topics as guided by the three objectives and a conceptual framework has
been included to show the relationship between dependent and independent.

2.2 The concept of Drugs and Substance abuse in Kenya

Drug and substance abuse is not only a Kenyan problem but a global problem which is
affecting mostly the youth both in school and out of school. This problem impacts negatively
on the academic, social, psychological, economical and physiological development among
the abusers (Agatha, 2016).

Agatha (2016) continues to show that the menace has strangled the youthful population
who are wasting away their prime lives instead of investing their energy and time to building
the nation. Drug trafficking has hit a crisis level in Kenya and this has seem the deportation
of foreigners suspected to be involved in drug trafficking with orders from the president.

According to soft Kenya (2014), there are various drugs abused by youths in Kenya with the
figures ranging up to 47.1% among youths in major slums in cities of Mombasa. According to
the study, drugs and substance abuse include: alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, Mira, heroine
inhalants, cocaine, solvents and prescription drugs including sex enhancement drugs. The list
in one way or the other changing day by day and this is becoming a worrying trend among
the youth in the country. For example, 5there are other drugs abused in Kenya that include:
anabolic steroids and contraceptives.

A study by WHO (2012) has shown that the causes of drug abuse in Kenya include: peer
influence, low self-esteem, media influence (TV, magazines, internet). Rebellion against
parents, teachers, religion etc, curiosity, lack of knowledge of drugs, poor role models,
frustrations from home, school, body changes etc. inability to achieve goals set thus feeling
like a failure, false ideas and perception e.g. bhang enhances academic performance and
many more. The abuse of such drugs has led to a number of consequences of youth
substance abuse.

A study by soft Kenya (2014) called consequences of youth substance abuse in Kenya’s most
slums and have favored effect like: poor memory, reduced reasoning capacity, truancy and
poor performance in school, sports and other activities, poor concentration, dropping out of
school, suspension and expulsion from schools. Also, risky sexual behavior, leading to early
pregnancy and HIV/AIDS. Crimes like theft, violence, rape, incest, bestiality leading to legal
implications, poor health, personal neglect, withdrawal and isolation from society, being
shunned by the society, personal guilt, poor relations with parents, teachers, siblings and
peers, physical and psychological addiction, and overdose of drugs can lead to death and
many more.

2.3 The influence of drugs and substance abuse on education performance.

In Kenya, reports of young people’s lives destroyed by alcohol and drugs are rampant. The
youth and particularly and students are especially vulnerable to the vice owing to peer
pressure, media influence, poor guidance and role modeling (Muchemi, 2013) the problem
has taken rate in learning institution leading to high number of school drop outs and
idleness. If the problem is left unaddressed, the country risks losing generations as well as
remaining under develop owing to the diversion of resources to address among others basic
needs of uneducated and unskilled youth.

Although it is difficult to authenticate the actual extend and nature of drug and substance
abuse among youth in learning institutions, research indicates that most students
experiment with and abuse alcohol and other drugs. A report by Chesang (2013) indicates
that by the age of 15.34% of this age group had used Tobacco, 18% Cannabis sativa ,32% has
used khat and 5% Cocaine: with the age group utmost risk put at between 16 and 18 years.
In addition, the Daily Nation Newspaper, Tuesday 15th July 2014 reported that of the 27
people who died after consuming alcohol in Mombasa County, among them were
Universities and Secondary School Students, between 15 and 20 years old.

Reports on the impact of substance abuse on academic activities in almost 23 schools in the
slums of Mombasa indicate that it interferes with psychological, physiological and emotional
functioning. Among the problems recorded in the students who participated in the study are
impaired memory and other intellectual faculties (Word drug report, 2014).
Reduced cognitive efficiency leads to poor academic performance and thus resulting in
decreased self esteem. This contributes to instability in an individual’s sense of identity,
which intern is likely to contribute to further substance abuse, thus creating a vicious circle
(Hawkins, Catalano and Miller, 1992: Word drug Reports, 2014).
When launching the second National Conference on Drug and Substance abuse: A call for
action, organized by NACADA in 2013, to formulate measures to curb Drug abuse: the
President of Kenya Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta directed the National treasury to allocate more
resources for prevention and control of Alcohol and DRUG Abuse. In addition, the treasury
was advised to seek innovative ways of securing funding to increase NACADAs resources
based in the fight against drug and substance abuse in the country, particularly among the
young people both in and out of learning institutions.

Recent studies in slums in the Kenyan Coast have shown that heavy adolescent substance
use can lead to problems with working memory and attention due to changes in adolescent
brain activity. In turn, this memory and attention problems may lead to decrease in
academic performance and engagement in school, and ultimate increase in school dropout.
However, these findings have been reported with heavy drinking and drug-using
adolescence, and it is unclear whether such effects will emerge at lower levels of use.

Kevin et al (2014) continue to show that alternatively, it could be that drug and alcohol use
during adolescence leads to association with antisocial peer groups, which in turn diminishes
school engagement and increases other behavioral and social problems. Indeed, as Godley
and the current study support, substance use is related to many school related outcomes
that have a strong behavioral and social component. Drugs affect the students concentration
spell, which is drastically reduced and boredom sets in much faster than for non-drug and
substance abusers. The students may lose interest in school work including extra curriculum
activities. Most of the psychoactive drugs affect the decision making process of the students,
creative thinking and the development of the necessary life and social skills are stunted.
They also interfere with the awareness of the individual’s unique potential and interest thus
affecting their career development. (Kikuvi 2009, Maithya 2012).

2.4 The influence of drugs and substance abuse on Economic productivity

The social and economic costs related to youth substance abuse are high. They result from
the financial loses and distress suffered by alcohol and drug-related crime victims, increased
burdens for the support of a adolescents and young adults who are not able to become self
supporting and greater demands for medical and other treatment services for these youths
(Gropper,1985 cited by INCB, 2016).
According to international labor organization (2013) a person’s health is greatly affected by
drug abuse and this worsens among the youth who rarely have the power to manage their
health. Economically this manifests itself in prevention and treatment cost, health-care and
hospital cost, increased morbidity and mortality.

According to EMCDDA (2014), drug abuse inflicts immeasurable harm on public health and
safety around the world each year and threatens the peaceful development and smooth
functioning of many societies. An understanding of Economic cost of drug abuse is necessary
to develop policies that reduce such costs. Attempts to calculate the global monetary
burden of drug abuse, however, are mired in data limitations in many areas that must be
taken into account to arrive at even a rough estimate of the total global cost of Drug abuse.
Analysis of economic consequences of drug abuse must account for expenditure.

2.5 Drug and substance abuse and teenage pregnancies among youth.

Teenage pregnancy is pregnancy in human females under the age of twenty. A girl can
become pregnant from sexual intercourse after she has begun to ovulate which can be
before her first menstrual period. Teens that have used marijuana are more likely to have
been pregnant. More than one third of sexually active teens and young adult’s age 15-20
report that alcohol or drug use has influenced them to have sex .In Mombasa County one
quarter of sexually active teens and young adults report that they have had sex without a
condom because they were under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The report continues to show that , girls who smoke or drink are even more exposed to use
of Alcohol and cigarette increases the risk of early sexual experience, and many teenage girls
when they use alcohol when they first have sex are too drunk to use birth control
successfully. In Mpeketoni,the report shows that almost one quarter of all high school
students use alcohol or drugs prior to their last sexual experience.
 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

This study is guided by the following conceptual framework which shows the independent
and dependent variables.

Independent variables Dependent Variables

Education performance
Effects of drugs and substance
 Poor grades abuse on youth development
 Poor concentration
 School drop out

Economic Productivity

 Financial loses
 Public safety
 Drug related deaths

Teenage pregnancies

 Unwanted pregnancies
 Illegal abortions
 More sexual partners
 CHAPTER THREE

3.1 METHODOLOGY

This chapter focused on the research methodology used in the study. It contains research
design, the target population and sample size.

3.2 Research Design

Research design refers to the procedure selected by a researcher for studying a particular
set of questions or hypothesis. This includes the researcher’s choice of qualitative or
quantitative methodology. This study therefore used a descriptive research survey. A
descriptive survey is about gathering information about the characteristics actions or
opinions of a large group of people.

3.3 Target Population

Target population consists of all members of people or objects to which we generalize the
results of our investigation. Our targeted populations are high school students in Mpeketoni
high school in Mombasa County. The group’s formation was primarily facilitated to address
the pathetic drug abuse. The accessible population of the study consisted of around 200
students and 15 teachers.

3.4 Sample Design

The study investigated the causes and effects of drug abuse among students of Mpeketoni
.For this study we used qualitative analysis. It means going beyond the numbers in statistics.
It helps us to give reasons why the numbers tell us what they do. Although this design has
some loopholes such as inadequate time, improper exposure to the data sources and lack of
enough funds, it is considered the best for the study since it deals with interpreting the
relationships among variables.

3.5 Sampling Procedure

In all 15 teachers and two hundred students were selected for the study. The suggested
minimum number that should be used as sample size could be 348. The choice of the sample size
was also informed by factors such as cost, representativeness and sampling error which can be
tolerated.
 3.6 Research instruments

The main data collection instruments were questionnaires. Questionnaires were divided into five
sections. Section A illustrated the goals and significance of the study, the rights of the participants
and some instructions on how to answer the questions. This was followed by items on demography.
The section B, C, D and E were structured along the following headings: respondents understanding
of drug abuse, the causes of drug abuse, the effects of drug abuse and the remedies to drug abuse.
The use of questionnaires was preferred because it ensured a wide coverage and enabled the
researcher to approach the respondents.

3.7 Data Collection Procedure

After the questionnaire had been tested for validity and reliability, it was administered to
the targeted samples. The questionnaire was distributed to 200 students in Mpeketoni. This
was done in order to explain the goals of the study, direct despondence attention to their
rights during the cost of the study. In order to ensure successful collection and sorting of the
questionnaire, each questionnaire was given a serial number according to separate schools.

3.8 Data Analysis

The data was organized into various themes and categories based on the research questions
and the purposes of the study such that each section provided answers for each of the
research questions. Prior to coding and tabulating the questionnaire for analysis, all the
items were checked. This helped us to check if instruments had been followed uniformly and
whether all items had been responded to.
WORK PLAN
TIME ACTIVITY
21st Feb,2018 Selection of the Research Topic
23rd Feb ,2018 Research of resource materials
27th Feb, 2018 Discussion
28th Feb, 2018 Selection of appropriate content
1st March,2018 Typing of the Research proposal
9th March,2018 Editing
Submission
BUDGET

ACTIVITY QUANTITY AMOUNT

Typing 1 page @ksh20 440

Printing 1 page @10 220

Binding 1 booklet @40 120