Abstract
The main aim of the study was to assess the level of alcohol abuse and related factors in Kassena-Nankana Municipal of Ghana. The study was conducted using a cross-sectional survey with 397 participants, using AUDIT to assess alcohol use. Data entry and analysis was done using SPSS. Bivariate analysis was done using chi-square and multivariate analysis was done using the multinomial logistics regression model. Lifetime alcohol use among the study participants was 96.0%; out of this, 51.7% were engaged in possibly dependent drinking, 23.4% involved in harmful drinking, and 24.9% involved in moderate drinking. Males were more likely to engage in harmful drinking than moderate (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.175–4.776). Males again were more likely to engage in dependent drinking than moderate (AOR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.489–5.068). Christians as compared to traditionalists were less likely engage in dependent drinking than moderate drinking (AOR = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.223–0.940). Those with tertiary education were less likely to engage in dependent drinking than moderate as compare to those without formal education (AOR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.076–0.670). Also employed civil servants were more likely to engage in dependent drinking than moderate as compared to those without employment (AOR = 4.4, 95% CI: 1.187–16.646). This study revealed a high prevalence of alcohol abuse among the residents of Kassena-Nankana municipality that was predicted by gender, educational level, and religious practice; therefore, there is a need for a public campaign on the harmful effects of alcohol abuse in the municipality.
Highlights
Alcohol abuse is one of the prominent risk factors for population health worldwide and has a direct influence on the numerous targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) relative to health, which include those for mother and child health, infectious diseases (HIV, viral hepatitis, and tuberculosis), noncommunicable diseases, mental health, injuries, and poisonings [1].In 2016, alcohol misuse was related to some 3 million deaths (5.3% of all deaths) globally and 132.6 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), that is, 5.1% of all DALYs in that year
In the absence of a fully functional national policy coupled with inadequate documentation on alcohol-related harm or deaths in the Kassena-Nankana municipality, it is feared that there may be a public health emergency which is yet to be recognized; this study aimed to assess the alcohol abuse level and factors associated with this abuse in Kassena-Nankana municipality
Comparing dependent drinking to moderate drinking, males again were 2.7 times more likely to engage in dependent drinking than moderate as compared to females (AOR 2.7, 95% CI: 1.489–5.068)
Summary
Alcohol abuse is one of the prominent risk factors for population health worldwide and has a direct influence on the numerous targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) relative to health, which include those for mother and child health, infectious diseases (HIV, viral hepatitis, and tuberculosis), noncommunicable diseases, mental health, injuries, and poisonings [1].In 2016, alcohol misuse was related to some 3 million deaths (5.3% of all deaths) globally and 132.6 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), that is, 5.1% of all DALYs in that year. Deaths related to alcohol misuse are higher than those related to other diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and diabetes. Among men in 2016, an estimated 2.3 million deaths and 106.5 million DALYs were associated with alcohol use or misuse. Women experienced 0.7 million deaths and 26.1 million DALYs were associated with alcohol use or misuse [1]. Alcohol misuse remains one of the topmost significant public health problems irrespective of the active efforts made to solve it [3]. Alcohol remains one of the first substances that are abused by people before they progress to the use of more hazardous substances such as marijuana and cocaine [4]. A survey conducted in the United States of America indicated that the average age of initiation to alcohol use among young people
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
