Zubayiri Mavabi2026-06-172026-06-172026-05-07https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11951/2150PostgraduateThe study explored the relationship between substance use and suicidal tendencies among the youth of Busia district, a case study of Busia Municipality. The specific objectives were; to investigate the indicators of suicidal tendencies among the youth using alcohol and other psychoactive substances in Busia Municipality, to analyze the association between alcohol use and other psychoactive substances on suicidal tendencies among the youth in Busia Municipality and to observe factors associated with suicidal tendencies among the youth using alcohol and other psychoactive substances in Busia Municipality. The study adopted a cross-sectional design with a mixed method where both Qualitative and Quantitative methods were used. A sample of 92 respondents comprising of 80 youths, and 12 community leaders were selected using simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Data collection was by the use of majorly closed-ended Likert scale questionnaire and an interview guide. The validity of the instruments had a total score of (0.80) whereas the reliability score of the instruments was (0.93). Quantitative data was recorded and tabulated. After data collection, items in the questionnaire were coded and information was entered in computer using SPSS software program version 20. It was used to generate frequency distribution tables. Descriptive statistics of frequencies and percentages was used to obtain specific findings, while Pearson correlation was used to analyze and obtain major findings in relation to specific objectives. Correlation Coefficients attained were significant and positive. The findings from the Pearson’s correlation analysis reveal a statistically significant moderate positive relationship (r = .451, p = .002) between alcohol and psychoactive substance use and the indicators of suicidal tendencies among youth, understanding the association between alcohol and psychoactive substance use and suicidal tendencies among youth in Busia Municipality revealed a strong, positive, and statistically significant relationship. Specifically, the Pearson correlation coefficient was r = .513 with a p-value of .000, indicating that the more youth engage in alcohol and substance use, the higher their likelihood of experiencing suicidal tendencies and a strong and statistically significant positive correlation (r = .721, p = .000) between alcohol and psychoactive substance use and the underlying factors associated with suicidal tendencies among youth in Busia Municipality. Finally, the study recommends that school-based and community mental health programs be scaled up to identify and respond to early warning signs of suicidality and given the strong and statistically significant positive association between alcohol and drug use and suicidal tendencies among youth, there is a need for targeted substance abuse prevention and harm-reduction initiatives.enThesis