A review of the public sector substance use disorder treatment and prevention systems in Kenya
Open accessAbstract
Background: The burden of substance use disorders in sub-Saharan Africa has been projected to increase by an estimated 130% by 2050. Despite this, little is known about the substance use disorder treatment and prevention systems in the region. Objectives: The objective of this review is to describe the public sector substance use disorder treatment and prevention systems in Kenya guided by the World Health Organization health systems framework model, with the aim of informing decision-making. Methods: We reviewed official government documents obtained from hand-searching the websites of relevant governmental organizations including: Ministry of Health, National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Parliament of Kenya, Ministry of Treasury & National Planning, National Law Reporting Council, Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the National Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Coordination Board and the 47 County Governments. We augmented those searches with official documents that the authors were aware of by virtue of being practitioners in the field. Draft and retired documents were excluded. The findings of the search are presented as a narrative review. Discussion: The Mental Health Act 1989, the main legislative framework governing substance use disorder treatment and prevention, focuses on institutional care only. While there are only three public health facilities offering substance use disorder treatment in Kenya, several non-public sector actors are involved in SUD treatment and prevention activities. Unfortunately, there is limited cross-sector collaboration. The Ministry of Health has no specific budget for substance use disorder treatment and prevention, while the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse has an annual resource gap of about US$ 5,000,000. The substance use disorder workforce in Kenya has not been characterized. Conclusion: We propose five key strategies for strengthening substance use disorder treatment and prevention systems in Kenya including: (1) Enactment of the Mental Health (Amendment) bill 2018. (2) Integration of substance use disorder treatment and prevention into primary health care to increase access to care. (3) Utilization of money from taxation of alcohol, tobacco and betting to increase funding for substance use disorder treatment and prevention. (4) Characterization of the substance use disorder workforce to inform planning. (5) Enhanced collaboration between the government and non-state actors in order to increase access to SUD treatment and prevention.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In Africa, opportunities for treatment for SUDs are limited because of scarce health services and human resources.
“Additionally, in Africa, opportunities for treatment for SUDs are limited because of scarce health services and human resources [9].”
From A scoping review of substance use brief interventions in Africa (2024) · cites this paper as [9]
The Background reports that SUD treatment systems in sub-Saharan Africa are under-resourced and that the treatment gap is as high as 87%; it also notes that only three of Kenya’s more than 5,000 government health facilities provide SUD treatment. The human-resource section says workforce numbers were unavailable, so the paper does not establish that scarce personnel limit treatment opportunities across Africa. (LLM, conf=0.83)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredSubstance use interventions in sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya, are scarce.
“yet interventions that address this problem are scarce within the region.”
From Adapting a substance use screening and brief intervention for peer-delivery and for youth in Kenya (2023) · cites this paper as Jaguga & Kwobah, 2020
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Desa, U. (2018) · Springer Publishing Company eBooks · doi:10.1891/9780826190123.ap02 · Cited by 19,434 · see citing works
James, S. L., Abate, D., Abate, K. H., Abay, S. M., Abbafati, C., Abbasi, N., Abbastabar, H., Abd-Allah, F., Abdela, J., Abdelalim, A., et al. (2018) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(18)32279-7 · Cited by 13,867 · see citing works
Vos, T., Abajobir, A. A., Abate, K. H., Abbafati, C., Abbas, K. M., Abd-Allah, F., Abdulkader, R. S., Abdulle, A. M., Abebo, T. A., Abera, S. F., et al. (2017) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(17)32154-2 · Cited by 13,220 · see citing works
Rehm, J., Mathers, C., Popova, S., Thavorncharoensap, M., Teerawattananon, Y., & Patra, J. (2009) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(09)60746-7 · Cited by 3,870 · see citing works
Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of policies and programmes to reduce the harm caused by alcohol
Anderson, P., Chisholm, D., & Fuhr, D. C. (2009) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(09)60744-3 · Cited by 1,102 · see citing works
The increasing global health priority of substance use in young people
Degenhardt, L., Stockings, E., Patton, G., Hall, W. D., & Lynskey, M. (2016) · The Lancet Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/s2215-0366(15)00508-8 · Cited by 601 · see citing works
International Narcotics Control Board
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2021) · Narcotic drugs. Estimated world requirements for... Statistics for ... · doi:10.18356/9789210056373c026 · Cited by 459 · see citing works
Candy, J., & Crouch, E. (1985) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.290.6464.324-a · Cited by 443 · see citing works
Substance Use Disorders in the U.S. Armed Forces
Institute of Medicine (2013) · National Academies Press eBooks · doi:10.17226/13441 · Cited by 156 · see citing works
Charlson, F., Diminic, S., Lund, C., Degenhardt, L. J., & Whiteford, H. (2014) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0110208 · Cited by 156 · see citing works
Kenya - HIV prevention response and modes of transmission analysis
Prestidge, M. G., & Wilson, D. P. (2009) · Cited by 127 · see citing works
Treatment gap, help-seeking, stigma and magnitude of alcohol use disorder in rural Ethiopia
Zewdu, S., Hanlon, C., Fekadu, A., Medhin, G., & Teferra, S. (2019) · Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy · doi:10.1186/s13011-019-0192-7 · Cited by 110 · see citing works
Kihuba, E., Gathara, D., Mwinga, S., Mulaku, M., Kosgei, R. J., Mogoa, W., Nyamai, R., & English, M. (2014) · Global Health Action · doi:10.3402/gha.v7.24859 · Cited by 101 · see citing works
The role of mutual-help groups in extending the framework of treatment.
Kelly, J. F., & Yeterian, J. D. (2011) · Europe PMC (PubMed Central) · Cited by 62 · see citing works
Rhodes, T. (2018) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.02.007 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Suchman, L., Hart, E., & Montagu, D. (2018) · Health Policy and Planning · doi:10.1093/heapol/czy053 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
A Review of Substance Use Disorder Treatment in Developing World Communities
Salwan, J., & Katz, C. L. (2014) · Annals of Global Health · doi:10.1016/j.aogh.2014.04.010 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
de Menil, V. P., Knapp, M. R. J., McDaid, D., & Njenga, F. G. (2014) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0090297 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985
Malhotra, N., Goel, R., & Goel, S. (2013) · Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd. eBooks · doi:10.5005/jp/books/12097_14 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
The Substance Abuse Treatment Workforce of South Africa
Sodano, R., Watson, D. W., Rataemane, S., Rataemane, L., Ntlhe, N., & Rawson, R. A. (2009) · International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction · doi:10.1007/s11469-009-9245-x · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Are addictions diseases or choices?
Leyton, M. (2013) · Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience · doi:10.1503/jpn.130097 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act
Goriparthi, I. (2021) · Journal of Alcoholism and Drug Dependence · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Ambale, C., Sinei, K. A., Amugune, B. K., & Oluka, M. N. (2017) · The African Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics · doi:10.66563/jn65e229 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Balfour, A. J. (1982) · Medico-Legal Journal · doi:10.1177/002581728205000202 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
The Mental Health (Amendment) Bill
Walk, A. (1982) · Bulletin of the Royal College of Psychiatrists · doi:10.1192/s0140078900005691 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 2
- [33]Ministry of Health Health Sector Indicator and Standard Operating Procedures Manual Third edition 2017
- [70]Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); Office of the Surgeon General (US) Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health 2016 Washington (DC) US Department of Health and Human Services 28252892
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Jaguga, F., Kwobah, E. K., Giusto, A., Apondi, E., Barasa, J., Korir, M., Rono, W., Kosgei, G., Puffer, E., & Ott, M. (2023) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-023-17146-w · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Self-citationGiusto, A. M., Johnson, S. L., Lovero, K. L., Wainberg, M. L., Rono, W., Ayuku, D., & Puffer, E. S. (2021) · International Journal of Drug Policy · doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103291 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Adapting a substance use screening and brief intervention for peer-delivery and for youth in Kenya
Jaguga, F., Ott, M. A., Kwobah, E. K., Apondi, E., Giusto, A., Barasa, J., Kosgei, G., Rono, W., Korir, M., & Puffer, E. S. (2023) · SSM - Mental Health · doi:10.1016/j.ssmmh.2023.100254 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Self-citationGiusto, A. M., Mootz, J. J., Korir, M., Jaguga, F., Mellins, C. A., Wainberg, M. L., & Puffer, E. S. (2021) · SSM - Mental Health · doi:10.1016/j.ssmmh.2021.100019 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Self-citationA scoping review of substance use brief interventions in Africa
Jaguga, F., Kiburi, S. K., Temet, E., Aalsma, M. C., Ott, M. A., Maina, R. W., Wachira, J., Mostert, C., Kosgei, G., Tenge, A., et al. (2024) · PLOS Global Public Health · doi:10.1371/journal.pgph.0003340 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Self-citationPerceived and misperceived norms about khat and/or cannabis use among adults in southwest Uganda
Perkins, J. M., Kakuhikire, B., Baguma, C., Meadows, M. L., Evans, C. Q., Jurinsky, J., Rasmussen, J. D., Satinsky, E. N., Ayebare, P., Kyokunda, V., et al. (2021) · International Journal of Drug Policy · doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103527 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Linking Fermented Foods to Microbial Composition and Valorisation: Blueprint for Kenya
Khayeka‐Wandabwa, C., Choge, J. K., Linnemann, A. R., & Schoustra, S. E. (2024) · Food Reviews International · doi:10.1080/87559129.2024.2355992 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Treatment outcomes for substance use disorders across the African continent: a systematic review
Biribawa, C., Tumwesigye, N. M., Sinclair, D. L., Kabiito, D., Swensen, G., Meyer, F. D., Mukasa, M., Kalema, D., Mutamba, B. B., & Vanderplasschen, W. (2025) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-025-02978-5 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Jaguga, F., Aalsma, M. C., Enane, L. A., Turissini, M., Kwobah, E., Apondi, E., Barasa, J., Kosgei, G., Olando, Y. A., & Ott, M. A. (2025) · Substance Abuse Treatment Prevention and Policy · doi:10.1186/s13011-025-00639-9 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Self-citationGiusto, A. M., Jaguga, F., Pereira-Sánchez, V., Rono, W., Triplett, N. S., Rukh-E-Qamar, H., Parker, M., & Wainberg, M. L. (2023) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph20064830 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Self-citationGiusto, A. M., Friis-Healy, E. A., Kaiser, B. N., Ayuku, D., Rono, W., & Puffer, E. S. (2022) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2022.104219 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Substance use among healthcare professionals: A cross-sectional study in Kenya
Shah, J., Smith, C., Mostert, C., Khakali, L., Merali, Z., & Ali, S. K. (2025) · PLOS Global Public Health · doi:10.1371/journal.pgph.0003863 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Sospeter, N. M., & Onkware, K. (2023) · African Journal of Empirical Research · doi:10.51867/ajernet.4.2.15 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Health equity in substance use disorder treatment in Kenya
Kiburi, S. K., Jaguga, F., & Atwoli, L. (2023) · Drug and Alcohol Dependence · doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.111005 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Self-citationTolstrup, D., Roberts, S. T., Deya, R. W., Wanje, G., Shafi, J., James, J. R., Chander, G., McClelland, R. S., & Graham, S. M. (2024) · Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports · doi:10.1016/j.dadr.2024.100315 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Jaguga, F., Turissini, M., Kwobah, E. K., Apondi, E., Enane, L. A., Barasa, J., Kosgei, G., Olando, Y. A., Ott, M. A., Kimaina, A., et al. (2026) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0344661 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Self-citationGiusto, A. M., Satinsky, E. N., Jaguga, F., Rono, W., Barasa, J., Galán, C. A., & Wainberg, M. L. (2025) · Global Public Health · doi:10.1080/17441692.2025.2515481 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Self-citationOnyegesi, O., Kennedy, P., Hamilton, S., Ruglass, L. M., & Conway, F. N. (2026) · International Journal of Mental Health Systems · doi:10.1186/s13033-026-00730-z · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Vega-Rosas, A., Juan, D. M.-S., Cabrera-Muñoz, E. A., & Ramírez-Rodríguez, G. B. (2024) · Revista Internacional de Investigación en Adicciones · doi:10.28931/riiad.2024.1.11 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Giusto, A. M., Satinsky, E. N., Jaguga, F., Rono, W., Barasa, J., Galán, C. A., & Wainberg, M. L. (2024) · medRxiv · doi:10.1101/2024.06.25.24309498
Self-citationElazia, V. K., Mohamoud, G., Orwa, J., Merali, M., & Shabani, J. S. (2024) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-4767131/v1
Biribawa, C., Vanderplasschen, W., Nankya-Mutyoba, J., Mutamba, B. B., Kalani, K. O., Oyet, D., Kalema, D., Tumwesigye, N. M., & Simpson, V. (2026) · PLOS Global Public Health · doi:10.1371/journal.pgph.0005691
Giusto, A. M., Jaguga, F., Greenlee, M., Triplett, N. S., Rono, W., Rukh-E-Qamar, H., Korir, M., Aburi, D., & Wainberg, M. L. (2026) · Implementation Research and Practice · doi:10.1177/26334895261417238
Self-citationFactors Associated with Substance Use among Nurses and Midwives in Referral Hospitals in Botswana
Lubinda, G., Tsima, O., & Mokotedi, M. (2026) · Africa Journal of Nursing and Midwifery · doi:10.25159/2520-5293/21619
- Authors
- Jaguga, F., & Kwobah, E.
- Corresponding author
- Jaguga, Florence
- Venue
- Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy
- Published
- 2020-07-20
- Volume
- 15
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 47-47
- ISSN
- 1747-597X (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC7372891
- OpenAlex
- W3045373230
- Cited by
- 24
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 3
- FWCI
- 0.33
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Locations
- Substance Abuse Treatment Prevention and Policy (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Funders
- Machine Tool Engineering Foundation
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Policy Implementation Science
- Keywords
- substance use disorders, Kenya, institutional care, primary care integration, health care financing, intersectoral collaboration, non-governmental organizations, health system strengthening
- MeSH terms
- Cooperative Behavior, Health Policy, Health Services Accessibility, Humans, Kenya, Primary Health Care, Substance Abuse Treatment Centers, Private Sector, Public Sector, Substance-Related Disorders
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
