Impact of Community-Led Enhanced Structured Health Education on Youths' Knowledge of Alcohol's Effects in Kiambu County, Kenya: A Quasi-Experimental Study
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Date
2025-06
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
PAMJ
Abstract
Introduction: alcohol is the most widely consumed
substance globally, contributing to 2.6 million
deaths annually, including 320,000 involving
youths. In Africa, alcohol is linked to high mortality
rates and increased Disability-adjusted Life Years. In
Kiambu, Kenya, youth alcohol consumption stands
at 28.9%, surpassing the national average of 11.2%.
This study explores the impact of community-led,
enhanced, structured health education on youths'
awareness of alcohol's effects. Methods: a quasiexperimental study was conducted in Gatundu
South (intervention) and Kabete (control) subcounties in Kiambu from May 2022 to May 2023.
Fourteen Community Health Promoters delivered
monthly one-hour sessions in Gatundu South,
totaling 12 sessions, covering 12 topics.
Quantitative datasets were collected using the
WHO's Alcohol AUDIT and questionnaire, while
qualitative datasets were gathered through focus
group discussions (FGDs) and key informant
interviews (KIIs) and analyzed thematically.
Kenyatta University's ethics committee granted
study approval. R software supported data analysis,
including mean knowledge scores, Chi-Square,
ordinal logistic regression, Difference-in-Difference
analysis, and Cohen's d. Results: youth in the
intervention group experienced a significant
increase in "very high knowledge" from 57% to
92.6%, compared to a smaller rise in the control
group from 26.1% to 39.5%. Post-study, Kabete had
2.6% of participants in the very low knowledge
category, versus 0% in Gatundu. The intervention
showed a significant impact (DiD: 1.8, Cohen's d:
1.161). FGDs and KIIs indicated limited awareness
and access to screening services. Conclusion: the
intervention improved knowledge of alcoholrelated harm, encouraged healthier behaviors, and
reduced adverse effects.
Description
research article
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Citation
Antony Kimata Mukui et al. Impact of community-led enhanced structured health education on youths' knowledge of alcohol's effects in Kiambu county, Kenya: a quasi-experimental study. Pan African Medical Journal. 2025;51(34). 10.11604/pamj.2025.51.34.47071