Non-Governmental Organisations Personnel, Social Workers and Religious Leaders’ Perspectives on the Risk Factors of Alcohol Abuse Amongst the Youth: The Case of the Northern Region of the Republic of Namibia

Rapholo Selelo Frank,Matlakala Frans Koketso,Freeman Rachel Johanna,Hamuse Tiberia Ndanyakuwa Ilonga,Mafa Prudence,Svinurai Anesu,Ananias Janetta Agnes,Chilwalo Beatrice Namoonga,Hasheela Miriam Winnie,Makhubele Jabulani Calvin

doi:10.5539/gjhs.v11n12p55

Rapholo Selelo Frank, Matlakala Frans Koketso + Show 8 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v11n12p55

Copy DOI

Abstract

This qualitative study aimed to explore and describe the perceptions of Non-Governmental Organisations personnel, social workers and religious leaders on the risk factors of alcohol abuse amongst youth in the Northern region of the Republic of Namibia. In order to pursue this aim, a multiple case study design was used. Substance abuse is a predominant social and health problem which calls the attention of different partners from different disciplines across the globe to address it. Substance abuse, in particular, alcohol abuse is a global concern particularly amongst youth. Youth indulge in alcohol abuse due to numerous risk factors. Semi-structured interviews were used with Non-Governmental Organisations personnel, religious leaders and social workers who were purposively selected. Findings revealed familial, the environmental and community based and socio-economic factors as predisposing youth at Oshikango to indulge in alcohol abuse. It is therefore concluded that there are lot of opportunities at the Northern region of Namibia which predispose youth to engage in alcohol abuse. Thus, stakeholders need to develop integrated strategies to fight the abuse of alcohol amongst youth in the Northern region of Namibia.

Highlights

Alcohol consumption is a health and social problem causing many undesirable outcomes globally, including the Republic of Namibia
Given that youth amongst others are the most alcohol consumption group, this paper aimed to explore the risk factors of alcohol abuse from the perspectives of NGOs personnel, social workers and religious leaders in the northern region of the Republic of Namibia
This study aimed to explore and describe risk factors of alcohol abuse amongst youth in Northern region of the Republic of Namibia from Non-Governmental Organisations personnel, social workers and religious leaders’ perspectives

Summary

Introduction

Alcohol consumption is a health and social problem causing many undesirable outcomes globally, including the Republic of Namibia. There are a range of problems as a results of alcohol consumption such as violence, child neglect and abuse, and absenteeism in the workplace which can cause devastating impacts on the individuals and their families which may end up affecting the entire community and the world at large (Constantinescu & Constantinescu, 2012; Salanta et al, 2018). Given that youth amongst others are the most alcohol consumption group, this paper aimed to explore the risk factors of alcohol abuse from the perspectives of NGOs personnel, social workers and religious leaders in the northern region of the Republic of Namibia. The abuse of alcohol and other illegal substances is expeditiously growing in the Sub-Saharan countries such as South Africa and Namibia and has become a public health and social concern for youth (Meghdadpour et al, 2012). There is a need for research in this region so that an intervention in terms of prevention and treatment can be contextualized to the conditions of the region in general and Oshikango in particular

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Conclusion