Family Factors Associated with Consumption of Spirits: A Comparative Gender-Based Study of Ugandan Students in Public Secondary Schools

Abstract

This study aims at investigating family factors associated with consumption of spirits across gender of students in public secondary schools in Uganda. A cross-sectional survey using self-administered questionnaires was used to collect data on consumption of sprits in the past 12 months prior to the study. Of the 1,591 students recruited, the overall prevalence of consumption of spirits was found to be 17.3% (n = 275) with higher consumption of spirits among males (20.3%). Results indicate that unemployed heads of families (aOR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.30–4.76, p<0.01), fairly religious (aOR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.08–6.49, p<0.05), and not religious families (aOR = 2.9, 95% CI: 1.17–7.11, p<0.05) were factors associated with consumption of spirits. Early prevention of consumption of spirits could be focused on male students, fathers’ occupation, and family religiosity. In addition, school administrators and authorities could consider these factors during routine school inspections to guard discipline among students in Uganda.

The mediating role of self-control on the relations between adverse childhood experiences and substance use among adolescents in Uganda

“…A variety of other familial characteristics have been recognised as drivers of substance use in adolescents and young adults. These characteristics include a history of mental health problems in the family, familial substance use, separations and divorce, emotional and physical abuse and neglect, sexual abuse, violence towards mother or stepmother, incarceration of a family member, and other psychosocial challenges linked to family instability and dysfunction ( Abbo et al, 2016 ; Mongale and Amone-P’Olak, 2019 ; Engebretsen et al, 2020 ; Ramotuana and Amone-P’Olak, 2020 ; Rukundo et al, 2020 ; Kaggwa et al, 2022 ). These negative familial characteristics are generally categorised as “Adverse Childhood Experiences” (ACEs).…”

Substance use under a restrictive and prohibitive policy regime in secondary schools in Uganda: The convergence of motives, contexts and student characteristics

“…and habits, among others [Amare, & G e n e t , 2 0 2 0 ; S s e w a n y a n a , Mwangala, Marsh, et al, 2020]. In U g a n d a , p a r c u l a r l y a m o n g secondary school students, drug and substance use has been widely reported [Abbo, Okello, Muhwezi, et al, 2016;Engebretsen, Nalugya, Skylstad, et al, 2020;Hassan, 2015;Kaggwa, Abaatyo, Alol, et al, 2022;Rukundo, Ayebare, Kibanja, et al, 2020].…”

“…Notwithstanding the adverse consequences of drug use such as dropping out of school, crimes, and eventual poverty [Kaggwa, Abaatyo, Alol, et al, 2022;Mupara, Tapera, Selemogwe-Matsetse, et al, 2022;Rukundo, Ayebare, Kibanja, et al, 2020], many family situa ons in most countries in Africa drive adolescents to use drugs and substances [Abbo et AMONE-P'OLAK ET AL. al., 2016;Ludick, & Amone-P'Olak, 2016;Mongale & Amone-P'Olak, 2019;Toteng, & Amone-P'Olak, 2019].…”

“…al., 2016;Ludick, & Amone-P'Olak, 2016;Mongale & Amone-P'Olak, 2019;Toteng, & Amone-P'Olak, 2019]. History of mental health in the family, familial drug and substance use, separa ons and divorce, lack of parental supervision, and other psychosocial difficul es associated with family dysfunc on, have been implicated in drug use among adolescents and young adults [Engebretsen, Nalugya, Skylstad, et al, 2020;Kaggwa, Abaatyo, Alol, et al, 2022;Rukundo, Ayebare, Kibanja, et al, 2020;Ramotuana & Amone-P'Olak, 2021]. Yet drug use may lead to las ng neurobiological changes, par cularly the milieu of d e ve l o p m e nta l a l te ra o n s i n neurotransmission among young p e o p l e [ T h o r p e , H a m i d u l l a h , Jenkins, et al, 2020].…”