Psychosocial correlates of alcohol and other substance use among low-income adolescents in peri-urban Johannesburg, South Africa: A focus on gender differences

Abstract

Alcohol and other drug use is prevalent among peri-urban, South African adolescents. We identified correlates of alcohol and other drug use by gender among adolescents (age = 16–18 years; N = 822) in peri-urban Johannesburg. Interviewer-administered surveys assessed sexual activity, alcohol and other drug use, and relevant psychosocial factors. In separate logistic regression models of alcohol and other drug use stratified by gender, violence exposure and sexual activity were associated with alcohol use for both males and females. For females only, depressive symptoms were associated with drug use. For males only, being older and sexually active were associated with drug use. Substance use interventions for South African adolescents should consider psychological health, sexual health, and tailoring by gender.

The Botsha Bophelo Adolescent Health Study: A profile of adolescents in Soweto, South Africa

“… 63 This indicates an important point of intervention for adolescents who may be initiating sex and substance use in an HIV hyperendemic community where high levels of depression have been associated with problematic alcohol use and risky sexual practices such as inconsistent condom use. 64 …”

Depressive symptoms as predictors of sexual experiences among very young adolescent girls in slum communities in Nairobi, Kenya

“…Contextual factors, such as high levels poverty, violence, including domestic, sexual and physical violence, alcohol and substances use, and adverse childhood experiences, that are common in urban slums (African Population and Health Research Center, 2014;Cucchiaro & Dalgalarrondo, 2007;Kamndaya et al, 2017;Schilling et al, 2007), increase the likelihood of young people engaging in risky sexual behaviours (Abdulraheem & Fawole, 2009;Kabiru et al, 2010;Madise et al, 2012) as well as elevated risk for depression (Kamndaya et al, 2017;Magidson et al, 2017;Schilling et al, 2007). However, there has been little focus on exploring the linkages between depression and sexual behaviours among VYAG, whom, early sexual activity could have detrimental effects on their health and wellbeing across the life course.…”

Association between illegal use of substances and suicidal behavior in school students: An integrative review of empirical data

“…Although research data show that the association between substance use and symptoms of mental health disturbances is differentiated by gender (Magidson et al, ; Wu et al, ), there is only limited evidence with regard to suicidal behavior. Nevertheless, the frequency of suicide attempts is twofold in female adolescents aged 15–24 years compared with male, while male adolescents die more frequently by suicide compared with female adolescents (Hawton, Saunders & O'Connor, ).…”

“…Although research data show that the association between substance use and symptoms of mental health disturbances is differentiated by gender (Magidson et al, 2017;Wu et al, 2010), there is only limited evidence with regard to suicidal behavior.…”