Factors influencing the performance of alcohol curbing non-governmental organisations projects in Kiambu county, Kenya: a case of jungle foundation

Abstract

Alcohol consumption by learners in public primary school pupils can become an impediment to academic advancement. Various interventions have been employed by the government, NGOs‟ and religious institutions to manage the menace. Jungle foundation, an NGO in Thika Town constituency has been on the forefront in the fight against alcohol consumption among pupils in public primary schools by educating and creating awareness on effects of alcohol consumption. The purpose of this study was to establish what could be influencing the performance of NGOs‟ in reducing alcohol consumption in public primary schools within Thika Town constituency. The objectives of the study were to establish whether family background, mass media, accessibility of alcohol and peer pressure exposure are factors that jeopardizes these initiatives. The study used descriptive survey design combining both qualitative and quantitative research strategies. The research targeted non-governmental organizations‟, parents, pupils and teachers in public primary schools. Purposive sampling was used in selection of respondents. Questionnaires was used for data collection, after obtaining data from the field and coding, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS software) was used to analyze the information that was presented in terms of findings and recommendations. The study would help NGOs‟ to plan, organize, command, coordinate and control to efficiently implement their projects in reducing alcohol consumption in public primary schools; use the findings of this study to effectively sensitize parents and underage people to avoid alcohol consumption through their community outreach initiatives; the findings would also be important for setting up of alcohol consumption special interventions program by NGOs‟. From the findings, a high number of the respondents had consumed alcohol. This behavior was likely to be replicated to the young population in schools who usually learn from their senior‟s actions better than their word. The findings indicated a worrying growth in pupils brought up in single parenthood, polygamous and extended families. These family set-ups are believed to be lacking in parental love, care and affection as well as the right discipline and character. The findings showed that contrary to the usual expectations, pupils in schools do not get a lot of information on alcohol abuse from social media. Billboards and TVs presented the most common source of their information on alcohol abuse. The findings showed that majority of Thika town schools are close to alcohol selling outlets. This increased the opportunities for the pupils to access the alcohol and therefore County planning should consider such factors when planning to ensure schools do not border such facilities. Finally, the findings showed that most respondents believed that the teacher was best placed to communicate about abuse of alcohol especially to the young pupils followed by NGO speakers who may present better methods of delivery of this vital information.