Relationship between Access to Counselling Services and Drug Use among Street Children in Starehe Sub-County, Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

Life in the streets is not easy. It has immense negative effects on the psychosocial health of street children resulting in substance use. This study set out to assess the relationship between access to counselling services and drug use among street children in Starehe Sub-County, Nairobi County Kenya. This study was on the Problem Behaviour Theory (PBT) and adopted the correlational research design. Data collection was from 100 street children. These were sampled using cluster and simple random sampling techniques from a target population of 30,000 in Starehe Sub-County of Nairobi County. In addition, data collection was from purposively sampled four officials from the Starehe Children Office, eight officials of NGO/FBO operating in the sub-county, 1 sub-county administrator, and 4 ward administrators from the Sub-County. The qualitative data collected using questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics like mean, percentage, and frequencies, as well as inferential statistics such as Pearson correlation and regression analysis. The findings presentation was using charts and tables. Analysis of the qualitative data collected using interviews was thematically and the findings use prose presentation. The findings show that access to counselling services had a significant influence on their drug use. Strengthening the existing social support systems meant that street children could get the support needed to steer them away from drug use. The study recommends that there is a need to strengthen behaviour counseling, support groups, and, sober social networks for street children. The government and non-governmental organizations should come up with programs for supporting access to counseling services and training some of the street children to prop up their abilities to offer peer-counseling services to their colleagues.