Research Article - Journal of Public Health Policy and Planning (2020) Volume 4, Issue 2

Assistance, treatment and rehabilitation of employees affected by alcohol and drug abuse related problems at kapsabet referral hospital,kenya.

This research is a descriptive cross-sectional survey on treatment and rehabilitation programs for employees affected by alcohol and drug abuse at Kapsabet Referral Hospital. The overall objective was to assess the assistance, treatment and rehabilitation programs for employees affected by Alcohol and Drug Abuse at the hospital. This study conceptualized that alcohol and drug abuse influences work performance in terms of direct and indirect costs to the employee affected by the abuse and organization hence the need for treatment and rehabilitation of such employee. Target 3.5 of the SDG calls for strengthening prevention and treatment of substance abuse and harmful use of alcohol. The target population was 320.The sample population was 10 percent thus 32 respondents. Questionnaires and document analysis were used to collect data. It was analyzed qualitatively in form of text and quantitatively through descriptive statistics. Majority (72%) of the respondents were aware and know the contents of Alcohol and Drug Abuse workplace policy and 60% of them considered the policy a success. On alternative measures utilized in managing the Alcohol and Drug Abuse, education and training was well received at 42%.The most prominent aspects of Alcohol and Drug abuse considered successful was corporate culture and practice (30%),followed by suggestion boxes(25%) and medical cover also at 25%. Re-absorption of rehabilitated workers and detection of a risky work environment got the least support at 12% and 8% respectively. Stigmatization is still the greatest challenge indicated by employees’ choice of suggestion box as a means of reporting colleagues who need assistance. There is need to conduct more studies in other sectors in Kenya so as to gauge the effectiveness of work place drug policies. Concerted efforts should be directed at ensuring ADA policy has fully been implemented as 40% disagreed that the policy has minimized problems in workplace.

Author(s): Christopher Mutai*, Pamela Cheptoo, Ruth Simiyu

Abstract Full Text PDF