Alcohol use perceptions and risky behaviors—a mixed method study in Moshi, Tanzania

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.