A recent survey conducted by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has brought to light some concerning findings regarding the prevalence of substance consumption across various regions in Kenya. Released on a Monday, this comprehensive study has shed light on the areas grappling with high rates of substance use.
The Western region emerges as the frontrunner in alcohol consumption, with a staggering 23.8 percent of its population admitting to alcohol use. The Coast and Central regions follow closely, with rates of 13.9 percent and 12.8 percent, respectively.
The survey’s revelations extend beyond alcohol, delving into the consumption of illicit liquor, Chang’aa, where the Western region leads at 11.4 percent, trailed by Nyanza at 6.3 percent and Eastern at 8.4 percent.
The Western region also tops the charts in traditional liquor, with 12.9 percent of its residents indulging. Coastal and Nyanza regions follow at 7.4 percent and 2.2 percent, respectively.
Moving to other substances, the Central region takes the lead in the consumption of potable spirits at 4.1 percent, with the Coast and Rift Valley regions close behind at 3.2 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively.
Central Kenya also exhibits the highest prevalence of current tobacco use at 11.9 percent, followed by the Coast at 10.8 percent and the Eastern region at 10.7 percent.
The Eastern region stands out with the highest rate of current khat use at 9.6 percent, with the North Eastern and Nairobi regions trailing at 7.2 percent and 4.9 percent, respectively.
Notably, the Nairobi region reports the highest prevalence of cannabis use at 6.3 percent, followed by Nyanza at 2.4 percent and the Coast at 1.9 percent.
Overall, the survey paints a concerning picture, with a total of 3,199,119 alcohol users, 2,305,929 tobacco users, 964,737 khat users, 518,807 cannabis users, 60,407 prescription drug users, and 1,766,583 polydrug users documented.
This comprehensive survey, conducted in 2022 across all 47 counties, sampled Kenyans aged 15 to 65. The data was sourced from the Kenya Household Master Sample Frame (K-HMSF) maintained by the KNBS, with an impressive individual response rate of 87 percent.
NACADA has emphasized that tobacco products, alcohol and that exhibit the highest overall awareness levels, with 97 percent, 95 percent, and 88 percent, respectively.
Perhaps most concerning is the data indicating that the average age for initiation of tobacco, alcohol, khat, cannabis, prescription drugs, cocaine, and heroin use falls within the 16 to 20-year category, with the youngest reported age of initiation being a shocking 6-year-old.
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