INFLUENCE OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE ON CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Studies have shown a relationship betweendrinking and ineffective contraception and condom use. The rate of binge drinking and ineffective contraception or ineffective condom use among college women was proved to be high. This article examined the influence of addictive behavior on utilization of contraceptives among undergraduate students. Addictive factors that were compared with utilization included attending club and parties, alcohol consumption, and smoking. The data used in analysis was based on stratified probability sample of 453 respondents interviewed in 2017 from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST). Quantitative and qualitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study revealed that there was a statistical significant relationship between respondent who frequently attended clubs and parties and contraceptives utilization (OR=0.48 95%CI 0.27-0.84, p=0.01). However, patronizing clubs and parties frequently reduced the probability of using contraceptives by 48% compared to those who did not frequent clubs or parties. Also, alcohol consumption was significantly associated with contraceptives utilization (OR=0.33: 95%CI 0.18-0.59, p=0.00). This result also revealed that respondents who consumed alcohol were 0.33 times less likely to use contraceptives than those who did not indulge in alcohol. Smoking was not statistically significantly associate with contraceptive utilization (p=0.85). The article recommends that HIV and AIDS peer educators should be tasked with educating on sexual and reproductive health and the importance of implementing specific programs in institutions of higher learning to limit the risks of addiction and partying, not only in terms of alcohol abuse, but also addictive behavior such as smoking.