Problem Gambling among Young People in Sub-Saharan Africa

Derrick Ssewanyana,Byron Bitanihirwe

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2018.00023

Abstract

Gambling is a cross-cultural and global activity which typically involves the wagering of money or an item of monetary value on an outcome that is governed by chance. Although gambling is positioned as a legitimate recreational and leisure activity within sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), there is widespread recognition among healthcare professionals and policy-makers that gambling has the capacity to become dysfunctional in a minority. Emerging knowledge suggests that problem gambling is rapidly evolving in to a public health concern in SSA, especially among youth. This article focuses on problem gambling among young people in SSA with an emphasis on three key themes: (1) gambling behavior and patterns in SSA; (2) public health and socioeconomic implications of gambling in SSA; and (3) public health policies and interventions for addressing this issue. We believe that collaborative efforts between government, prevention specialists, legislators, researchers, treatment providers, and other stake holders can influence the uptake of research findings necessary to implement social policies and design effective public health intervention options to combat problem gambling and its associated implications among young people in SSA.

Highlights

Over the recent years, many parts of the developing world have experienced unprecedented increases in gambling availability, participation, and expenditure
A recent survey evaluating gambling-related activities in 3,879 youth aged between 17 and 35 in Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania found that 54% of youth in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have engaged in some form of gambling activity [2]
Given the high level of youth unemployment and the genuinely low wages in SSA [54, 55], an increasing number of youth find themselves participating in gambling-related activities without being aware of the potential undesirable effects that may culminate from gambling addiction

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Many parts of the developing world have experienced unprecedented increases in gambling availability, participation, and expenditure. A study conducted in three South African townships found a disproportionately higher prevalence (7%) of gambling-related problems in poor households compared to affluent households (3%) [44] In considering these points, several models have been proposed to explain the acquisition of gambling behaviors among adolescents and young people such as social learning theory [45] with evidence suggesting that adolescents may engage in more risky behavior in the presence of peers (i.e., peer-to-peer learning) [46]. The age of exposure and onset of gambling behavior has been strongly associated with GD, with a younger age of exposure or initiation being linked to a greater risk of developing a gambling-related problem [34] It follows that increasing the age of first exposure to gambling participation by limiting the availability and accessibility to gambling venues, activities, and products, and raising the minimum legal age for gambling are all key regulatory policy development issues. Notable examples of programmatic policies include training of health services professionals, community development and education, development of resources for treatment and prevention, and industry education programs targeting venue operators and retailers, all of which should focus on establishing supportive environments as well as enhancing the skills of individuals [52]

Findings

CONCLUSION AND FUTURE DIRECTIVES

Discussion