Perceptions On Hookah (Sheesha) Consumption Among First Year Studentsof Maasai Mara University

Abstract

ABSTRACT The perception of any concept determines the attitude an individual will hold towards the associated concept. For instance, the perception that vegetables are healthy will develop a positive attitude towards the consumption of vegetables amongst community members. It is evident that sheesha is growing amongst students of Maasai Mara University. The researcher aimed to investigate the perceptions that students hold towards sheesha consumption. The research was guided by the social learning theory by Albert Bandura.The specific objectives by the researcher included the following; establish the prevalence of sheesha consumption among MMU first year students, to determine the reasons for sheesha consumption amongst the first year students in the university, establish the perceptions of the first year students towards sheesha consumption in the university, determine the attitudes of first year students towards sheesha ban in Kenya and finally to find out the alternatives to sheesha consumption after the sheesha ban amongst first year students in the university.The problem statement in this research is the concern of the perception held by students to contribute into the growing rate of sheesha amongst first year students. What are the perceptions that contribute to the growth of this practice? The researcher employed stratified random sampling and snow ball sampling in the collection of data. The target population was a total of 50 students. The population was divided into groups of 5 amongst the 5 schools in the university. Thus each school had 10 respondents with 5 female students and 5 male students. The researcher identified a key respondents (student) from each school and gave them the obligation to distribute the 10 questionnaires to their fellow peers in the same school. The data collected was analyzed and presented using tables and charts generated via Ms. Excel. 100% of the students had knowledge about sheesha with 90% of them saying that sheesha consumption was bad and harmful to the health. 72% of respondents came from both parented families whereas 22% came from single parented families and the remaining 4% and 2% from no parents and grandparent headed families respectively. A 52% of the respondents had ever smoked with 84.6% continuing with the practice while 15.4% did not continue. Amongst these that continued, 31.8% had made efforts to quit sheesha and a 100% of them failed in the efforts to quit sheesha. 77.3% of the respondents identified Marijuana as the alternative means to sheesha after the ban whereas 22.7% had their alternative as cigarettes. From the findings, the researcher concluded that there was a high prevalence of sheesha with the students choosing their immediate short term satisfaction they get from sheesha as compared to the long term effects of sheesha. The students had a negative attitude towards the sheesha ban with the main alternative of sheesha being Marijuana.