The Use of Alcohol and Knowledge of Cardiovascular Diseases among Ellisras Rural Children Aged 14–22 Years: Ellisras Longitudinal Study

Abstract

The harm alcohol abuse does to physical and mental health is well established. The perception of cardiovascular disease risk factors and alcohol use requires attention. This study aims to investigate the association between alcohol usage and knowledge of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) risk factors among Ellisras rural adolescents and young adults aged 14–22 years. In this cross-sectional study a total of 1409 subjects (736 boys and 673 girls), aged 14–22 years, from the Ellisras Longitudinal Study, South Africa completed a validated alcohol use and CVDs knowledge questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association. The prevalence of alcohol intake increased with increasing age among girls (13.6% to 17.7%) and boys (10.3% to 16.9%) and reached a statistically significant difference (p < 0.024) at an older age category (20–22 years). There was a significant (p < 0.05) association between alcohol use and a positive response on the following knowledge statements: The fact that cardiovascular disease attacked all age groups and mostly elderly people (the odds ratio (OR) ranged between 0.5 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.33–0.74 and OR = 2.86 95% CI = 1.27–6.42). Medical doctors can help to diagnose somebody with cardiovascular diseases (OR ranged between 2.25 95% CI = 1.49–3.39 and OR = 0.75 95% CI = 0.65–0.87). The condition for cardiovascular diseases developed over a long period (OR ranged between 1.75 95% CI = 1.16–2.64 and OR = 2.23 95% CI = 1.34–4.07). The prevalence of alcohol use in Ellisras rural adolescents and young adults begins between the ages of 14 and 16 years and increases with age. Binge drinking was more evident on Fridays and Saturdays among the Ellisras rural adolescents and young adults with girls showing a significantly higher prevalence of binge drinking compared to boys on a Friday.

Multiple Points Change in the Association of Blood Pressure Subtypes with Anthropometric Indices of Adiposity among Children in a Rural Population

“…It is, therefore, in this context that the present study aimed to determine, in black South African children aged 8 to 17 years in the Ellisras Longitudinal Study, whether indices of central (waist circumference), general (body mass index), or subcutaneous (skin-fold thickness) adiposity independently predicted BP at multiple points. This is particularly pertinent, given that Ellisras is reported to be dominated by cardiovascular risk factors, including among others, overweight or obesity and hypertension [7,8]. Researching this issue is of major interest to public health and has important policy implications in ensuring the health of young people today and adults of tomorrow.…”

The Relationship between Binge Drinking and Metabolic Syndrome Components amongst Young Adults Aged 21 to 31 Years: Ellisras Longitudinal Study

“…The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defined binge drinking as drinking >4 drinks per day for females and >5 drinks per day for males [ 24 ]. In the current Ellisras cohort, communal drinkers were more prevalent during weekends, for example, Fridays (4.9% for males and 7.3% for females) and Saturdays (6.1% for males and 7.7% for females), with females significantly higher on Fridays ( p < 0.049) compared to males [ 10 ]. In the literature, it was found that men were more likely to consume alcohol consistently, since they presumably experienced more social problems.…”

“…The Ellisras Longitudinal Study (ELS) design and sampling methodology has been reported elsewhere [ 10 , 12 ]. A quantitative study applying a cross-sectional design was conducted.…”

“…In the Ellisras Longitudinal Study cohort, the prevalence of alcohol abuse ranged from 42.2% to 94% for participants aged 14 to 22 years [ 10 ]. The prevalence of MetS was 23.1% (8.6% males and 36.8% females) amongst Ellisras rural young adults (aged 18 to 30 years) [ 11 ].…”

Change in the Mindset of a Paediatric Exercise Physiologist: A Review of Fifty Years Research

“…The Physical Activity and Health Longitudinal (PAHL) study from A Monyeki et al [22], the Ellisras Longitudinal Study (ELS) from K Monyeki et al [23], and the Analysis of Behaviours of Children During Growth (ABCD-Growth study) [24] from Fernandes are three examples of recent longitudinal studies set up in other countries with new and modern techniques. They show that pediatric exercise science will bloom in the near future.…”