The Prevalence and Context of Alcohol Use, Problem Drinking and Alcohol-Related Harm among Youth Living in the Slums of Kampala, Uganda

Monica H. Swahn, Rachel Culbreth, Laura F. Salazar, Nazarius Mbona Tumwesigye, David H. Jernigan, Rogers Kasirye and Isidore S. Obot
Additional contact information
Monica H. Swahn: School of Public Health, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 3984, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA
Rachel Culbreth: School of Public Health, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 3984, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA
Laura F. Salazar: School of Public Health, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 3984, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA
Nazarius Mbona Tumwesigye: School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala P.O. Box 7062, Uganda
David H. Jernigan: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, MD 21205, USA
Rogers Kasirye: Uganda Youth Development Link, Sir Apollo Kaggwa Rd, Kampala P.O. Box 12659, Uganda
Isidore S. Obot: Department of Psychology, University of Uyo, Uyo 520003, Nigeria

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 7, 1-16

Abstract: Background. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the prevalence and context of alcohol use, problem drinking and alcohol-related harm among boys and girls in the slums of Kampala, Uganda. Methods. The Kampala Youth Survey is a cross-sectional study conducted in 2014 among youth (ages 12–18 years) living in the slums of Kampala ( n = 1133) who were participating in Uganda Youth Development Link (UYDEL) centers. Chi-square tests were used to determine differences in alcohol use behaviors between 1) gender (boys vs. girls), and 2) alcohol use behaviors between problem drinkers and non-problem drinkers, stratified by gender. Results. Among all participants ( n = 1133), the prevalence of any alcohol use in the past 12 months was 31% ( n = 346). A higher percentage of girl drinkers reported having sex in the past month, without a condom (57.9%) due to alcohol consumption, compared to boy drinkers (41.9%) ( χ 2 = 8.09, df = 1, p = 0.005). For girl and boy drinkers, nearly half (49.5% and 44.1%, respectively) met the criteria for problem drinkers, measured using the Cut-Annoyed-Guilty-Eye-Opener (CAGE) questionnaire. Conclusions. The high prevalence of alcohol use and problem drinking among youth, as well as alcohol-related harm, warrant urgent alcohol prevention and intervention strategies, particularly among these underserved girls.

Keywords: alcohol use; adolescent health; global health; binge drinking; unsafe sex; violence (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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