Prevalence and Correlates of Alcohol Use among Underage High-School Students in Murang’a and Kajiado Counties, Kenya
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Date
2015-07
Authors
Okwarah, Patrick
Gakunju, Richard
Kabiru, Ephantus
Malla, Lucas
Okedi, William
Mutham, Lawrence
Karanja, Simon
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Researchjournali’s Journal of Public Health
Abstract
Background: Alcohol use during adolescence is an important risk factor for a host of physical and social
problems affecting the young people globally. There is limited data on the prevalence of alcohol use among
the underage in Kenya.
Aim: To determine the prevalence and correlates of alcohol use among underage high-school students in
Murang‟a and Kajiado Counties in Kenya
Methods: A random sample of 938 respondents (61.9% males and 38.1% females) below 18 years was
obtained from Kajiado and Murang‟a on proportionate to stratum size. A multilevel logistic regression was
used to investigate potential correlates to alcohol use.
Results: The prevalence of current alcohol use was 37% and was significantly associated with being male
(AOR = 1.58; 95% CI 1.40, 2.42) ;ease of getting an adult to buy alcohol (AOR=2.20; 95% CI 1.57, 3.10);
cigarette use (AOR = 3.8; 95% CI 1.86, 8.28) and having multiple sexual partners (AOR =1.17; 95% 1.15,
1.20).
Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of underage alcohol use in Murang‟a and Kajiado. A joint program
targeting parents and teachers could be initiated so as to heighten the level of interventions required to avert
further escalation of the problem.
Description
A Research Article in the Researchjournali’s Journal of Public Health
Keywords
Prevalence, Underage, Alcohol use, Correlates
Citation
Okwarah, P. O. (2017). Prevalence and correlates of alcohol use among underage high-school students in murang’a and kajiado counties, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, COHES-JKUAT).