Efficacy of Mi Therapy on Aud Among Students in Mount Kenya University, Nairobi.

Abstract

Studies all over the world show that, there is a struggle with the issue of students’ alcohol use resulting in alcohol use disorder (AUD) in many universities, a problem that causes considerable medical and social problems. In this regard therefore, prevention and management of the challenge (alcohol use) are of significant concern. A quasi-experimental study to establish the efficacy of Motivational Interviewing (MI) therapy in reducing AUD among Mount Kenya University (MKU) students was done. In order to collect the required data, a sample of 105 respondents, aged 18-26 years, was selected through stratified purposeful sampling in two Mount Kenya University Campuses namely, Nairobi and Nakuru. To assess for the efficacy of MI, a social-demographic questionnaire was used to capture respondents’ demographic information, a Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) to screen for depression, a Beck’s Anxiety Inventory (BAI) to screen for anxiety, and an AUD Identification Test (AUDIT) to screen for AUD. Screening was done at baseline, midline, and end line and MI therapy administered to the respondents. The data was collected from Nairobi (experimental) and Nakuru (control) Campuses and analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 23. The results indicated that MI therapy was efficacious in reducing symptoms of AUD among the respondents (p=0.0001). Recommendations were made for stakeholders to arrange for strategic therapeutic activities for different groups of students and especially those that are almost graduating from University.