| dc.description.abstract | Substance abuse is one of the ongoing issues in the both developed and low developed countries with statistics indicating that about 76.3 million people struggle with alcohol use disorders contributing to 1.8 million deaths per year. Therefore, this study established to investigate the factors influencing substance abuse among fishermen at Kigungu fishing site. The study was guided by the objectives: to establish the socio-economic factors influencing substance abuse, client factors influencing substance abuse and to identify the environmental factors influencing substance abuse among fishermen at Kigungu fishing site.
The study employed a cross sectional descriptive study design with a quantitative research approach. The population of the study was 448 fishermen from which a sample of 207 was obtained applying a simple random sampling technique. The data used in the study was both primary and secondary data.
The study found out that socio-economic factor, client factors as well as environmental factors had varied contribution to the substance abuse within the area. Socio-economic factors were responsible for about 40% of substance abuse tendencies, 37% by client related factors while 38% by environmental factors. Results also found out that cultural influence, high poverty levels, easy accessibility and society’s acceptability to use substances were the major socio-economic factors that influenced substance abuse. In relation to client factors, perception and beliefs of the fishermen that drugs would solve problems, improve one’s braveness to go to the lake as well as peer pressure; traumatic experiences forced them to engage in drug abuse. High exposure to drugs, inadequate restrictions and unlimited consumption were the major environmental reasons that were highlighted.
The study recommended that rules and regulations within Kigungu are strengthened, community sensitization campaigns are carried out, training is effected and government’s support in improving the boosting people’s welfare by creating more jobs in order to mitigate substance abuse within the area. Further areas for analysis about the effect of ethnicity; influence of culture; and the assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and practices influencing substance abuse within Kigungu fishing site should be carried out to address substance abuse better. | en_US |
