Assessment of Problems Associated with Increased Alcohol intake among Youth in Bushenyi District Western Uganda

Akinbo Elizabeth Abiodun

Faculty of Clinical Medicine and Dentistry, Kampala International University, Uganda

ABSTRACT

Uganda is one of the countries with high alcohol consumption and it appears little efforts are made to address the issue. The objectives of this study were to determine prevalence and magnitude of health problems associated with alcohol intake among youth in Bushenyi district, Uganda and outline the relationship between alcohol ‘intake and alcohol related problems among the study group. The method used was descriptive cross-sectional study design; a sample of 384 youth were selected from Bushenyi district to participate in the study. Multi-stage systematic random sampling technique was done and a quantitative questio1maire was used to collect data from the respondents. The study established that alcohol problems were highly prevalent among the youth assessed. High prevalent rates was found in the following problems: Child abuse (11.6%), divorce (16.1%), violence (13.9%), lost jobs (19.1%) and on the health issues, loss of appetite (16.2%). Magnitude of problems was highest among the following; work problems – age 21-26 (7.8%); health related problem – age 21-26 years (9.1%): conflict, highest among single males (6.2%), health problems: singles (8.0%). Finally, brand/strength of alcohol taken: Beer was highest drink taken by (40.2%) of respondents followed by spirit (24%) of respondents. Result revealed that there was significant correlation between alcohol intake and the following problems: Family conflicts, family neglect, antisocial behavior, school/work and health problems. The above data shows significant combination between alcohol intake and alcohol related problems assessed. These findings underscore the need for interventions and strict alcohol controls as an important policy strategy for reducing alcohol use and its awful consequences among vulnerable groups. Therefore, measures are urgently required to curb the anomalies which may include; government increasing alcohol tax which can make alcohol inaccessible to minors, community mobilization and sensitization, awareness on harmful impacts of alcohol intake on lives and contribution to wasting generation.

Keywords: Alcohol, Child abuse, Prevalence, Family, Uganda

CITE AS: Akinbo Elizabeth Abiodun (2024). Assessment of Problems Associated with Increased Alcohol intake among Youth in Bushenyi District Western Uganda. RESEARCH INVENTION JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN MEDICAL SCIENCES 3(2):16-26.