Browsing by Subject "Alcohol use"

Background: The Kilimanjaro region has one of the highest rates of reported alcohol use per capita in Tanzania. Alcohol-related risky behaviors pose substantial threats to the health and well-being of alcohol users and people around them. This study sought to provide a better understanding of how risky behaviors are associated with alcohol use perceptions. Methods: This mixed method study took place in the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center. Quantitative data on alcohol use, the alcohol use disorder identification tool, alcohol-related consequences, and qualitative data on alcohol use perception and risky behaviors were collected from a hospital- and non-hospital-based sample in Moshi, Tanzania. Latent class analysis was applied to examine alcohol-related risky behaviors. Results: Three classes of risky behavior patterns were identified: “no risky behavior”, “moderate risky behaviors” and “high risky behaviors”. Membership of classes 3 was associated with the most alcohol use quantity and frequency. No association between classes and alcohol-stigma was found. Our qualitative results explored alcohol perceptions and risky behaviors and illustrated their possible associations. Conclusions: Although alcohol stigma may not associate the number of risky behaviors directly, our qualitative result helped us to understand how stigma associates with risky behaviors. This study may serve as a reference for designing and adjusting interventions for alcohol-related injury patients' needs; we can improve interventions by using our knowledge about misconception and stigma and the identified risky behaviors classes as a form of classification system.

Background: Alcohol use accounts for over 3 million deaths each year and causes negative mental and physical health outcomes. Both adolescent use and early use initiation are associated with future dependence and alcohol-related harm. Orphaned and separated children (OSC) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are particularly vulnerable to alcohol use. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was used to explore predictors of adolescent alcohol use and early alcohol initiation among a sample of OSC in 5 LMICs. Bivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between age, gender, education, care setting, OSC status (single orphan, double orphan, neither), behavior and emotional health, the experience of potentially traumatic events (PTEs), social support, and participation in chores or work and the outcomes of early initiation and recent alcohol use. Variables with p-value <0.15 were included in a multivariable model for that respective outcome and evaluated through multivariable logistic regressions. Results: In multivariable regressions, age [OR 1.28 (1.11-1.48)], community-based setting [OR 2.74 (1.57-5.02)], non-abuse trauma [OR 5.23 (2.51-12.10)], and physical or sexual abuse [OR 1.27 (0.75-2.11)] were associated with recent use. Non-abuse trauma [OR 12.86 (3.83-80.12)] and work [OR 1.72 (0.91-3.12)] were associated with early use. Conclusions: Interventions targeting alcohol use among OSC may be more effective if they target predictors identified in this study, such as a community care setting.