EFFECTS OF ALCOHOLISM AMONG THE YOUTHS: A CASE STUDY OF ROKA LOCATION, KILIFI COUNTY-KENYA

Abstract

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of alcoholism on the youths of Roka location, in Kilifi County. The study was guided by the research objectives which were; to identify the causes of alcoholism among the youths, to analyze the effects of alcoholism among the youths, to find out the measures that can be initiated to deal with the problem of alcoholism among the youths. The study will be of great significance as the effort to address alcoholism is the key for the community development. The study will cover all youths of Roka location and the information that will be acquired will facilitate the understanding of the causes of alcoholism. The study involved the literature review that showed the patterns of alcoholism in the World, in Africa and in Kenya. The theories that spearheaded the issue of alcoholism like; the Deviant and Social-Disorganization perspectives were also used. The study site was Roka location in Kilifi County and the adopted research design was the descriptive survey. Forty (40) respondents and ten (10) key informants were used for the study. The provision of information was through the Questionnaire and Interview methods. The research found that the factors leading to excessive alcohol consumption among the youths in the study area included; peer influence, unemployment, desire to reduce stress, and media influence. The effects of alcohol consumption to the youths according to the study findings were; school dropout, increased thefts, loss of jobs, committing suicide, wastage of money, increased stress, poor coordination, slurred speech, destruction of reproductive system, damage of; the brain, liver, kidney, and breast, contraction of HIV, and death. In relation to the measures used to address the problems of alcoholism, the research established that, both the Community and the Government measures were employed. In conclusion, the research pointed out that, excessive alcohol consumption has more negative effects as compared to the positive effects. Due to this therefore, the research spearheaded on the issue of exerting more efforts by the Community members and the Government. Apart from the efforts made by the community members and the Government, the research recommended that the County Government of Kilifi and the National Government should come up with policies to establish more Agricultural projects that could employ youths, train the village elders and the chiefs on the best ways of dealing with alcoholism, and also to come up with more rehabilitation centers. The roles of rehabilitation centers in dealing with excessive alcohol consumption are to be considered for further attitudes.