Akalewerk Delelegn Wegayehu
Universal University College, Ethiopia
Title: Factors associated with alcohol use among youths in Addis Ababa
Biography
Biography: Akalewerk Delelegn Wegayehu
Abstract
Background: Alcohol consumption at a young age increases the risk of developing alcohol related problems later in life, poor
academic performance and increased risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases or other psychiatric
disorders such as lethargy, hopelessness and insomnia.
Methods: Health institution based cross-sectional study was conducted in Addis Ababa Ethiopia from January 15 – March 20,
2012. A sample size of 410 was calculated by Epi-info stat calc and stratifi ed sampling technique was used. Multivariate logistic
regression and Cox regression was used to assess the degree of association between dependent and independent variables.
Results: A total of 148 (36.5%) youths were found to be alcohol users and 104 (25.7%) of them were HIV positive. Alcohol
use was positively associated with being male [OR & (95%CI) = 1.989(1.061, 3.728) ], khat use [OR & (95%CI) = 5.551(3.016,
10.216) ], not having comprehensive knowledge on HIV [OR & (95%CI) = 1.899 (1.024, 3.520)], HIV positive status [OR &
(95%CI) = 5.645(2.854, 11.165) ], being merchant [OR & (95%CI) =10.254(2.366, 24.446) ] and student [OR & (95%CI) =
4.045(1.473, 11.108) ]. Initiation of alcohol use before 18 years was also positively associated with not having comprehensive
knowledge on HIV [Adj. HR & (95%CI) = 1.914(1.091, 2.550)], khat use [Adj. HR & (95%CI) = 3.050 (2.007, 4.636)], watching
sexual fi lms [Adj. HR & (95%CI) = 1.892 (1.032, 3.296) ] living apart from parents [Adj. HR & (95%CI) = 2.315 (1.176, 4.558)]
having -monthly income of <= $ 25 [Adj. HR & (95%CI) = 3.187 (1.854, 5.480)] and $ 25.1 - $ 55.5[Adj. HR & (95%CI) =
1.951(1.010, 3.771) ]