Prevalence of Alcohol Consumption and Factors Influencing Alcohol Use Among the Youth in Tokorni-Hohoe, Volta Region of Ghana

Abstract

Abstract:Background: Alcohol use still remains a great public health concern. However, the youth are the higher risk group in terms of alcohol consumption and its associate complications. Alcohol consumption among the youth is on the rise and Ghana cannot be exempted due to easy accessibility and availability of alcoholic beverages to the youth. According to Ghana Demographic and Health survey, alcohol consumption is highest among young people between the ages of 15-39 years than other age group; however, little information on alcohol consumption has made the problem unknown, limiting appropriate measures to control its use. This study measured the prevalence of alcohol consumption and associated factors among the youth in Tokorni-Hohoe. Methods: The study employed cross sectional study using quantitative method to sample 316 respondents. Random and systematic sampling techniques were used to sample respondents. Structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant information from respondents. The analysis was performed using StataSE 12. Results: The prevalence of alcohol consumption among the youth is 43%. Both males and females engage in alcohol use but more males were found to use alcohol than females. Alcohol consumption was highest among the age group of 20-25 years. The major factors influencing the use are peer influence (30.8%) and advertisement (20.3%). All the socio-demographic characteristics except religion (p=0.011) and occupation (p=0.001) were found not to be strongly associated with alcohol consumption. Reasons given by the youth for consuming alcohol are to have fun and to stimulate their appetite for food. Conclusions: Alcohol use is highly prevalent among the youth in Tokorni-Hohoe and therefore interventions to prevent its use should be more focus on the youth because of their vulnerability. Advertisement on alcohol use must be control by the appropriate institutions.

Factors Contributing to Alcoholism Among the Youth in New Edubiase of Adansi South District in Ashanti Region-Ghana

“…This study made a similar finding that advertisement for alcoholic products has the tendency of influencing about 44.0% to use those products. Though a previous study finding reported a lower percentage (20.3%) on the use of advertisement [24] than the current study, it suggests that advertisements play a vital role in youth alcohol use patterns. Also, the findings of the studies on the risk factors and consequences of alcohol consumption among college students [25],and that on prevalence of alcohol consumption and factors influencing alcohol use among the youth in Tokorni-Hohoe, Volta Region of Ghana [24] correspond to the finding of this study as was found that peer pressure or introduction by friends to alcohol mostly get the youth to drink alcoholic beverages.…”

“It’s business as usual”: adolescents perspectives on the ban of alcohol sachets towards reduction in under age alcohol use in Malawi

“…We also highlight increased prevalence of problem drinking among the underage as a result of access to cheap alcohol, particularly, in regard to number of adolescents using alcohol, frequency of use, and increased amounts of alcohol consumed. Similarly, a study in Ghana noted that the prevalence rates of alcohol use among the youth in the area were two times higher than the national average due to ease of availability and access [32]. The Ghanian study adds that the study area is clustered with bars and entertainment places serving alcohol and that these premises lack policy enforcement on underage use, an environment also reported in the current study.…”

Epidemiology of harmful use of alcohol in Nigeria: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…When compared to other African countries, the prevalence of harmful use of alcohol in Nigeria is relatively higher. For example, the prevalence of self-reported binge drinking was 14.1% in South Africa (16) and 16% in Ghana (17), while hazardous users of alcohol were estimated at 12.7% in Uganda (18) and 22.4% in Botswana (19). Despite a declining rate, Nigeria appears to be at the high-end of alcoholic beverage consumption in Africa, as the reported rates are comparable to some estimates in Europe and the Americas, where the prevalence of harmful users ranged from 37-53% (1,68).…”

“…There was no study from the North-east. Most studies were conducted in urban settings (17), while rural settings had 5 studies, and mixed settings (a mix of urban and rural dwellers) had 13 studies. Studies were conducted between 1992 and 2017, with most conducted within a one-year period.…”

“…An understanding of the consumption of alcohol in Nigeria may provide insights into the rate of consumption in some African settings, being the most populous country on the continent. Asides few studies in some African countries (16)(17)(18)(19), there is generally limited national epidemiological studies on alcohol consumption in Africa, which appears to limit public health response and comparisons with other world regions. Across many African countries, alcohol mis(use) is less addressed, as there are no clear regulations for alcohol marketing, with this even worse in the absence of representative and up-todate epidemiologic reports on alcohol consumption (20).…”