Factors Associated with Alcohol Consumption Among Students in High-Cost Schools in Lusaka, Zambia

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of alcohol consumption among adolescents is very high in Zambia, in spite of the knowledge on the negative effects of alcohol consumption on adolescents. The objective of this study was to determine factors associated with alcohol consumption among secondary school students in high-cost public schools. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 357 students in Grades 8 and 11 was conducted. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. The associations and correlations between explanatory variables and the outcome of interest was established using Chi-square or the Fisher’s exact test. Magnitudes of association were estimated using Odds ratio. Results: The prevalence of alcohol consumption among the students was 43.7%. Factors predictive of students’ alcohol use were attitude towards alcohol consumption (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) =3.15, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) [1.04,9.56]), parental monitoring (AOR=0.69, 95% C.I. [0.69, 0.94]), parental alcohol use (AOR= 1.76, 95% C.I. [1.39,2.23]) and pocket money availability (AOR= 1.52, 95% C.I. [1.03,2.26]). The prevalence of alcohol consumption was high. Students with positive attitudes towards alcohol consumption were found to be 3.15 times more likely to drink alcohol compared to students with negative attitudes. Students who are highly monitored by their parents were found to be 31% less likely to drink alcohol compared to those rarely monitored by their parents. Students whose parents drink alcohol were found to be 76% more likely to drink alcohol compared to those whose parents do not drink alcohol. Students with a high amount of pocket money were found to be 52% more likely to drink alcohol compared to those without pocket money. Conclusion and Implication for Translation: Results indicate a high prevalence of alcohol consumption among secondary school students of high-cost schools. Potential interventions should focus on inclining the students’ attitudes against alcohol consumption, encouraging increased parental monitoring, and teaching students how to use their pocket money more appropriately.