Association of Substance Use and Gender Based Violence among Students in a Tertiary Institution in Kakamega County, Kenya

Background: Substance use among college and university students remains an important area of research due to the implications of early substance dependence on the future of the youth. Prior studies from various settings indicate relatively high rates of substance use among students in tertiary educational institutions. However most of these studies were based on tertiary institutions in urban settings, and few have examined substance use and its association with Gender based violence. Objective: Study aim was to establish the prevalence and factors associated with substance abuse among students, and their relationship with Gender Based Violence in a tertiary institution in a relatively rural setting. Methods: The study was conducted in November 2018 after obtaining the relevant approval from KEMRI and from the university administration. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to collect the data. Quantitative data was collected using self-reported questionnaires across all the faculties among first to fourth year students. Focus group discussions were held with a group of students and Key informant interviews were also held with the institutional administrators and student leaders. Results: A total of 412 university students completed the questionnaires. Majority were males at 57.9% and average age was 21 years. The overall prevalence of substance use was 21.1% and the most commonly used substance was alcohol at 25%. The study found out that 90% of the participants had their first time use of substances between ages of 12-20 years with median age of 18 years