Alcohol Availability, Cost, Age of First Drink, and Its Association with At‐Risk Alcohol Use in Moshi, Tanzania

Abstract

Background: The Kilimanjaro region has one of the highest levels of reported alcohol intake per capita in Tanzania. Age at first drink has been found to be associated with alcohol problems in adulthood, but there is less information on the age of first drink in the Kilimanjaro region and its associations with alcohol-related consequences later in life. Furthermore, local alcohol cost and availability may influence the prevalence of alcohol use and alcohol use disorders. Methods: Data on the age of first drink, alcohol use disorder identification tool (AUDIT), number and type of alcohol consequences (DrInC), and perceived alcohol at low cost and high availability for children and adolescents were collected from an alcohol and health behavior survey of injury patients (N = 242) in Moshi, Tanzania. Generalized linear models were used to test age at first drink, perceived alcohol cost and availability, and their association with the AUDIT and DrInC scores, and current alcohol use, respectively. Results: Consuming alcohol before age 18 was significantly associated with higher AUDIT and DrInC scores, with odds ratios of 1.22 (CI: 1.004, 1.47) and 1.72 (CI: 1.11, 2.63), respectively. Female gender is strongly associated with less alcohol use and alcohol consequences, represented by an odds ratio of 3.70 (CI: 1.72, 8.33) for an AUDIT score above 8 and an odds ratio of 3.84 (CI: 2.13, 6.67) with the DrInC score. Perceived high availability of alcohol for children is significantly related to higher alcohol use quantity, with the odds ratio of 1.6 (CI: 1.17, 2.20). Conclusions: The first use of alcohol before the age of 18 is associated with higher alcohol use and alcohol-related adverse consequences. In Tanzania, age at first drink is an important target for interventions aiming to prevent negative alcohol-related consequences later in life.

The association between alcohol consumption and intimate partner violence in young male perpetrators in Mwanza, Tanzania: a cross-sectional study

“…Furthermore, the prevalence of problematic drinking habits and IPV are likely underestimated for three reasons. First, levels of alcohol consumption might be underreported since the widespread use of home brews in African countries including Tanzania might not be considered as alcohol use [ 26 ]. Second, substance abuse and IPV are sensitive topics, which are difficult to disclose [ 41 ].…”

“…In Tanzania, 52% of the young people between 15 and 24 years reported ever using alcohol and 26% used it in the past 12 months. This age group is also highly exposed to alcohol advertisements and faces widespread accessibility in Northern Tanzania [ 25 , 26 ]. In sub-Saharan Africa, alcohol use also shows striking gender patterns.…”

“…Alongside alcohol, being male and of young age are other major contributors to IPV at the individual level, with IPV perpetration reaching its peak in the early twenties among young men [ 28 ]. Young adults are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviours such as substance abuse and hazardous drinking, leading to AUDs [ 26 ]. These interactions of risk factors demonstrate young men’s increased vulnerability to IPV perpetration.…”

Heavy drinking and problem drinking among youth in Uganda: A structural equation model of alcohol marketing, advertisement perceptions and social norms

“…These findings will need to be explored in more detail in future research to understand the risk of alcohol problems, particularly for girls who may not be recognised by treatment providers in a cultural context where girls are thought to be less likely to drink [54]. Research also demonstrate that women are less likely to report their drinking, primarily due to cultural norms and stigma, which presents a problem in health‐care settings [55, 56].…”

“…Research also demonstrate that women are less likely to report their drinking, primarily due to cultural norms and stigma, which presents a problem in health-care settings [55,56].…”