The University of Nairobi (UON) conducted a study revealing that the initial year of university education is strongly linked to elevated levels of harmful substance use.
The objective was to explore the connection between substance use disorders and mental health issues in first-year college students.
The research emphasizes that students face a heightened vulnerability to mental health challenges and substance abuse upon entering university.
Factors such as academic pressures, separation from family, independent living, and the absence of parental supervision contribute to the initiation of substance abuse during this period of perceived freedom.
The study also pointed out a notable shift in substance consumption patterns between male and female students over time.
The report stated that young women are now engaging in substance use at rates comparable to their male counterparts, marking a change in trends.
Particularly concerning is the impact of substance use on educational performance.
The study found that students involved in substance abuse often encounter difficulties in their academic pursuits, leading to lower chances of completing their college education.
Harmful alcohol use, as highlighted in the study, was associated with various negative outcomes, including psychological distress, tardiness, missed classes, lack of concentration, and incomplete assignments.
Moreover, substance-abusing students reported a range of issues, from risky behaviors like unprotected sex to physical altercations, property damage, and conflicts.
The study indicates that substance use during college years often extends beyond the campus environment.
It underscores a clear link between substance abuse and mental health problems, with a 12-month substance use disorder associated with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and suicidality.
In response to these concerning findings, the researchers called for governmental and policy-making bodies to establish a comprehensive framework addressing substance abuse.
They emphasized the need for universities to develop institutional policies supporting interventions and allocate resources for the prevention, treatment, and management of substance use disorders among first-year students.
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