Assessing the Potential of Social Media in Curbing Substance Abuse Among University Students in Kenya- a Case of the University of Nairobi

Abstract

Substance misuse has long been a concern for university and college students around the world in terms of academics, health, and growth. Despite multiple efforts by various parties to curb the threat, the situation in Kenya has worsened during the previous decade. Kenya's government, for example, has implemented strict laws and strategies to prevent drug penetration in educational institutions. The usage of social media by college and university students, in particular, has become a common occurrence in their daily lives. According to studies, social networking sites are potentially exposing these children to harmful drug exposure. The purpose of this study was to look into the role of social media in the fight against substance abuse among university students in Kenya, specifically at the University of Nairobi. The study's specific objectives were to determine the University of Nairobi undergraduate students' preferred social media communication platform for combating drug abuse among youth in Kenyan universities; to determine the University of Nairobi undergraduate students' level of awareness about the dangers of drug abuse; and to determine the effect of social media communication on drug abuse among university of Nairobi undergraduate students. The study focused on DOJ & MC students and employees at the University of Nairobi. Purposive sampling and stratified random sampling techniques were used to select 82 respondents from a target population of 782 informants, including 749 undergraduate students from the DOJ&MC, 21 lecturers and 8 administrative staff from the DOJ&MC, 1 participant from the university health department, 1 students' counsellor from the office of the dean of students, 1 informant from the UoN directorate of corporate communications, and 1 communications lecturer. Generally, the researcher purposively sampled 4 key informants from the university and randomly sampled 75 undergraduate students from DOJ &MC, then conveniently selected 1 administrative staff and 2 lecturers from DOJ & MC. Mixed method approach was adopted while the design was descriptive survey. Quantitative data was collected through questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics including frequencies and percentages while the qualitative data was collected through in-depth interview, thematically analysed in the context of the five key thematic elements outlined in the objectives. Pie charts and graphs were used to present the data. SPSS and Ms Excel were used to produce inferential and descriptive statistics. Social media communication, through campaigns came out as a better intervention to fight substance abuse, at 54.7% among students in universities in Kenya. More awareness and provision of correct and accurate information on dangers of substance abuse through social media was also found to reduce substance abuse amongst university students. The study also ascertained that providing interventions that intensify the students‘ knowledge and correct attitude towards illegal drugs, fortifies their confidence and reduces their chances of drug abuse. A percentage of 45.3 of the undergraduate students at UoN were not aware of the institution‘s social media policies. The study thus recommends adequate involvement of the students as key stakeholders in social media policy formulation and implementation in universities to effectively fight substance abuse amongst students in universities. The study also recommends substance abuse awareness to be incorporated in the curriculum as a common unit of study in Kenyan universities as it will provide an insight into the causes and effects for easy curbing of substance abuse in universities. It also recommends more use of WhatsApp, Facebook and twitter by universities, as the students‘ most preferred platforms; and a closer liaison of the universities with NACADA, and medical practitioners to effectively address substance abuse and other issues among the university students.