Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATOD) use among secondary school students in Nakuru District, Kenya, and its association with bullying.

A total of 1000 form one to four male and female students aged between 13 and 19 years were selected from 40 private and 45 public secondary schools were surveyed between January and June, 2009. The mean or median age for male students was 14 (SD=4.90) and for female students 13.8 (SD=4.8). GSHS was used to collect data which was analyzed by frequencies, chi-square and logistic regressions.

In the study, 33.7% of students reported having been bullied by students abusing ATOD in the last 30 days preceding the survey and 15.9% reported the use of alcohol, 12% cigarettes and 8% smokeless tobacco in the last 30 days preceding the survey. Cumulatively, 9.6% of students recorded having used other drugs.

There was a significant relationship between alcohol and tobacco use with bullying. However, there was no statistically significant association between the use of other drugs and bullying (χ2 = 3.583, df=1, p=0.058). The prevention of ATOD and bullying among students represents an essential public health measure that may allow for total children’s development, qualifying them for a healthy and safe social coexistence.

The researchers recommend that focus on prevention programs against alcohol and drug use in secondary schools in general should be mounted to reduce or eliminate bullying altogether.