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Prevalence of Alcohol Consumption and Factors Influencing alcohol use

among the youth of Tokorni-Hohoe, Volta Region, Ghana

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Science Journal of Public Health
2017; 5(3): 205-214
http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/sjph
doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20170503.18
ISSN: 2328-7942 (Print); ISSN: 2328-7950 (Online)

Prevalence of Alcohol Consumption and Factors

Influencing Alcohol Use Among the Youth in
Tokorni-Hohoe, Volta Region of Ghana
Emmanuel Osei-Bonsu2, Prince Kubi Appiah1, *, Ishmael D. Norman3, Geoffrey Adebayo Asalu1,
Margaret Kweku2, Seth Yao Ahiabor2, Wisdom Kwami Takramah2, Abdulai Bonchel Duut4,
George Edward Ntow2, Stephen Boadu2
1
Department of Family and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
2
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
3
Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
4
Department of Social Work, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana

Email address:
[email protected] (P. K. Appiah)
*
Corresponding author

To cite this article:

Emmanuel Osei-Bonsu, Prince Kubi Appiah, Ishmael D. Norman, Geoffrey Adebayo Asalu, Margaret Kweku, Seth Yao Ahiabor, Wisdom
Kwami Takramah, Abdulai Bonchel Duut, George Edward Ntow, Stephen Boadu. Prevalence of Alcohol Consumption and Factors
Influencing Alcohol Use Among the Youth in Tokorni-Hohoe, Volta Region of Ghana. Science Journal of Public Health.
Vol. 5, No. 3, 2017, pp. 205-214. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20170503.18

Received: December 3, 2016; Accepted: December 14, 2016; Published: March 27, 2017

Abstract: Background: Alcohol use still remains a great public health concern. However, the youth are the higher risk group
in terms of alcohol consumption and its associate complications. Alcohol consumption among the youth is on the rise and
Ghana cannot be exempted due to easy accessibility and availability of alcoholic beverages to the youth. According to Ghana
Demographic and Health survey, alcohol consumption is highest among young people between the ages of 15-39 years than
other age group; however, little information on alcohol consumption has made the problem unknown, limiting appropriate
measures to control its use. This study measured the prevalence of alcohol consumption and associated factors among the
youth in Tokorni-Hohoe. Methods: The study employed cross sectional study using quantitative method to sample 316
respondents. Random and systematic sampling techniques were used to sample respondents. Structured questionnaire was used
to collect relevant information from respondents. The analysis was performed using StataSE 12. Results: The prevalence of
alcohol consumption among the youth is 43%. Both males and females engage in alcohol use but more males were found to
use alcohol than females. Alcohol consumption was highest among the age group of 20-25 years. The major factors influencing
the use are peer influence (30.8%) and advertisement (20.3%). All the socio-demographic characteristics except religion
(p=0.011) and occupation (p=0.001) were found not to be strongly associated with alcohol consumption. Reasons given by the
youth for consuming alcohol are to have fun and to stimulate their appetite for food. Conclusions: Alcohol use is highly
prevalent among the youth in Tokorni-Hohoe and therefore interventions to prevent its use should be more focus on the youth
because of their vulnerability. Advertisement on alcohol use must be control by the appropriate institutions.
Keywords: Alcohol, Consumption, Use, Youth, Tokorni-Hohoe

initial substances that are used among young people before

1. Introduction they progress to the use of more dangerous substances such
Alcohol use among the youth forms one of the most as marijuana and cocaine [2]. With modernization in the
important public health challenges despite strenuous efforts world market and increase in advertisement, harmful drinks
made to contain it [1]. Alcohol is considered as one of the that were not easily accessible to the youth are now of higher
 Science Journal of Public Health 2017; 5(3): 205-214 206

consumption rate than expected [3]. In recent times, because inconclusive trends in consumption [14]. Again, [15] reports
of the promotion, competition and popularity of alcoholic indicated that about 15.3 million youth between the ages of
products, most alcoholic beverages are now cheaper as 15 to 29 years had drug disorders and 320,000 people of
compared to other soft drinks [4]. Due to this multiplicity, same age group die yearly from alcohol and drug related use,
most young people engage in heavy drinking at younger ages accounting for 9% of all deaths globally.
than in the past. National surveys among adolescents, college students, and
Alcohol comes in the form of beer, wine, spirit and other other young adults in the United State of America showed
alcoholic beverages. Beer include malt beer, wine from that youth have higher rates of alcohol intake, as well as
grapes, spirits from distilled beverages and other fermented higher rates of dangerous drinking practices such as binge
beverages made from cereals such as maize, millet and drinking and daily drinking [16]. Also, a national survey
sorghum [4]. conducted in Thai among the youth revealed that alcohol
Introduction to alcohol use at early age in life is another consumption has increased from 21.6% in 2001, to 23.5% in
disturbing trend in youth drinking. A survey conducted in 2004 and to 23.7% in 2006 [6]. This indicates that globally
United States of America indicated that the average age of alcohol consumption among the youth is on the rise;
initiation to alcohol use among young people is 15 years [5]. therefore demands urgent control measures and interventions.
Another survey conducted in Thai indicated that 79.7% of The effects that usually follow alcohol use on the youth
Thai current drinkers are over 15 years old and was reported has remained a topical issue as well as a worry to parents,
that the youth initiate to alcohol drinking between the ages of schools, governments and the society as a whole.
15-24 years [6]. In Ghana, a study conducted among second Furthermore, [17] indicated that, future manpower and
cycle and out of school youth on substance use revealed that development of every country's economy lies on the physical
average age for first use of substance was between 14-19 and mental health of its youth. However, alcohol
years and the highest use was between the ages of 16-23 consumption for instance still remains major risk behaviour
years. In addition, substances that are mostly used by the among the youth leading to both physical and mental health
youth in Ghana include alcohol, cigarette, cannabis and complications including deaths [1]. Most chronic and injury-
heroine [7]. related conditions can be attributed to excessive alcohol
Data from Ghana Demographic and Health Survey consumption. These include but not limited to alcohol
indicated that the use of alcohol is prevalent among the youth dependence; liver cirrhosis, cancers, depression and other
between the ages of 15-34 years in Ghana with Volta Region medical conditions [18].
recording the highest prevalence among males which Moreover, alcohol has been identified as a contributor to
constitutes 42%, and among females, the highest prevalence traumatic outcomes that either kills or disables the consumer
of alcohol consumption was in Upper West Region with at a relatively younger age, thereby leading to loss of many
prevalent rate of 37% [8]. However, there is little control on years of life to death or disability [19]. In addition, [20]
the sale and consumption of alcohol among the youth in further indicated in his study that the high rate of death
Ghana, and for this reason people in their youthful age can among the youth in Nigeria is related to unhealthy lifestyles
walk into any drinking bar to buy and consume alcohol [9]. A of which the use of alcohol cannot be excluded. In spite of all
study conducted in a senior high school in Accra, at a mean these problems, the use of alcohol remains unconcerned and
age of 17 years found that the prevalent rate of lifetime to date is of low priority to policy makers [21]. It is therefore
alcohol consumption was 25.1% among lifetime users; imperative for all countries including Ghana to adopt
whiles 42% were currently alcohol consumers [10]. appropriate strategies and interventions in fighting against
In Africa, the rate of alcohol consumption is not different any physical, psychological and socio-medical problems
from the rest of the world because alcohol and other illicit affecting the youth due to alcohol use.
drugs are easily accessible to the youth [11]. An empirical The use of alcohol varies from one location to the other
review of literature has demonstrated that a substantial [20]. In the light of this, the study was conducted in Tokorni-
proportion of youth in Sub-Saharan Africa have ever Hohoe to determine the prevalence of alcohol use and
consumed alcohol or are currently consuming alcohol [10]. associated factors among the youth.
For instance, a study conducted in Uganda indicated that the
country was having the highest annual consumption of pure 2. Materials and Methods
alcohol in litres among the youth in the world [12]. Also,
[13] reported in their study that one out of every three 2.1. Study Site
Zambian adolescents were consuming or have ever
consumed alcohol. Hohoe municipality has a total land surface area of 1,172
Globally, alcohol consumption among the youth is of great km2 which constitutes about 5.6% of the Regional and 0.05%
concern. A worldwide survey on Alcohol and Health assessed of the National land surface areas. It is situated within
a five year trend on alcohol consumption among the youth longitude 0° 15’E and 0° 45’E and latitude 6° 45’N and 7°
between the ages of 18-25 years in 82 countries and revealed 15’N and lies nearly in the middle-belt of the Volta Region of
that, there was 80% increase in consumption, 11% decrease Ghana with an estimated population of 188,963 and a growth
in consumption, 6% stable consumption, while 12% showed rate of 2.4.
207 Emmanuel Osei-Bonsu et al.: Prevalence of Alcohol Consumption and Factors Influencing Alcohol Use
Among the Youth in Tokorni-Hohoe, Volta Region of Ghana

Tokorni-Hohoe is one of the sub-communities located prevalence.

almost at the centre of Hohoe Township having a population
of 3,914 based on the 2010 population census, with a growth 2.5. Sampling Method
rate of 2.5%. The population of the youth in Tokorni-Hohoe Multi-stage sampling method was used to select
is about 1,488. Hohoe Township is where most travellers who participants. A list of all the 986 houses in Tokorni-Hohoe
are in search of job relocate making Tokorni-Hohoe one of was obtained from physical planning department in the
the busiest communities in the town. The community was Hohoe Municipal Assembly. Simple random sampling
chosen because many and most prominent drinking bars in technique was used to select the first house and systematic
Hohoe Township are clustered, making alcoholic beverages sampling was then used to select every 3rd house until all the
easily accessible to the youth. Furthermore, the kind of 316 houses were selected. In houses where there were more
entertainment provided by these drinking bars attract most than one household, simple random sampling was used to
people especially the youth to have fun in those places and in select one. This was done by balloting YES or NO and the
the process they tend to drink alcohol. This is making household that picks YES was chosen for the study. In
alcoholism becoming a serious issue among the youth in this households where there were more eligible participants,
community. The major occupation in the community is again simple random sampling was used to select one
mainly petty trading. However, others engage in agricultural respondent. This was also done through balloting YES OR
activities such as cultivation of Cocoa, Cassava, Rice and NO, individuals who picks YES was chosen for the study.
various vegetables notably Kontomire, Pepper and Okro.
Poultry (chicken) is the leading animal reared in the 2.6. Data Collection
municipality.
Hohoe Township has a hospital with a research centre, a A semi-structured questionnaire, pen and paper were used
private clinic, a health centre, and Reproductive and Child to obtained data from study participants on alcohol
Health) unit with an Adolescent Health Corner. It also has consumption and related factors through self-administration.
four (4) tertiary institutions; a Midwifery Training School, a Participants’ ages were assessed using their Birth
Public University offering courses in public health, two Certificates. Where certificates were not available, events
colleges of education, and a number of first and second cycle calendar were used to determine their age.
schools. 2.7. Ethical Issues
2.2. Study Population The study conformed to the required ethical guidelines
Participants in the study were youths between the ages of regarding the use of human subjects, and was approved by
15-35 years. Data was collected from only those who agreed the Ethical Review Committee of the Ghana Health Services,
and signed informed consent form. However, individuals Research and Development Division, Accra with protocol
who have not stayed in the municipality for the past 3 months number GHS-ERC 08/02/16. Participation in the study was
before the day of the study were also excluded from the voluntary, and consent and assent was sought from the
study, as well as Non-Ghanaians and Health professionals participants and their guardians.
even if they have stayed in the municipality for the required 2.8. Data Analysis
period.
Data was entered using EPI Data version 3.1 Software and
2.3. Study Design then exported to StataSE for analysis. Questions and
A descriptive cross sectional study using quantitative responses were coded into numeric form for data entry.
method was employed to determine the prevalence of alcohol Descriptive statistics including mean, mode, percentages, and
consumption and the associated factors among the youth in frequencies was calculated and presented in graphs and tables
the municipality between February and April, 2016. for quantitative variables. Beyond descriptive statistics,
cross-tabulation using chi square was also used to determine
2.4. Sample Size the association between dependent and independent
variables. The strength of the association was explored using
Three Hundred and Sixteen (316) participants were logistic regression by computing odds ratio at 95%
involved, this was determined using the formula: n=z2xp confidence interval, and a p-value <0.05 was considered as
(q)÷d2 [22], Where n is the Sample size to be determined, z is statistically.
the z-score (reliability coefficient) of 1.96 at 95% confidence
level, p is the estimated proportion of an attribute that was
present in the population (prevalence of alcohol consumption 3. Results
0.25) [7], d is the desired level of precision 5% (0.05), and q 3.1. Background Characteristics of Respondents
is 1-p (0.75). For a 10% non-response rate of 288, the sample
size was upwardly adjusted and rounded to 316 participants. A total of 316 respondents between the ages of 15-35 were
This sample size ensured, with probability of 95% that, the involved in the study with a response rate of 100%. Most
estimated prevalence fell within ±5% of the true population 66.7% (211) of the respondents were males while the
 Science Journal of Public Health 2017; 5(3): 205-214 208

remaining 33.3% (105) were females. The mean age of the

respondents was 23 years with standard deviation of 4.6.
Almost half 46% (146) of the respondents were within the
age group of 20-25, followed by 15-19 age group 28.8%
(91), 26-30 age group 17.41% (55) and 31-35 age group with
7.59% (24) respectively. Majority 31.3% (99) of the
respondents were either in secondary school or had
completed and only 8.54% (27) of the respondents had no
formal education. Only 20% (63) of the participants were
married and the remaining 80% (253) were not married.
More than three-fourth (76.3%) of the respondents were
Christians, followed by Traditional African Worshipers Figure 1. Youths currently consuming alcohol in the community.
(13.6%) and Moslems (10.13%) respectively. As high as
52.9% (167) of the respondents do not have any job doing. 3.3. Alcohol Consumption and Background Characteristics
Out of the 167 participants, 35.1% (111) were students and
17.72% (56) were unemployed. Respondents who were More 101 (73.7%) males consume alcohol than females 36
employed constituted 47.1% (149) (Table 1). (26.2%). However, sex specific analysis indicated that out of
the 211 male participants, 47.9% are currently consuming
Table 1. Socio-demographic Characteristics. alcohol while 34.3% out of the 105 female participants are
also consuming alcohol currently. Approximately, 45% of the
VARIABLES FREQUENCY (316) PERCENTAGE
respondents who are currently consuming alcohol are among
Sex
the age group of 20-25 years and the least (11%) among the
Male 211 66.7
age group of 30-35 years. Out of the 43% (137) of the
Female 105 33.3
respondents who are currently consuming alcohol, 86% (118)
Age (years)
had some level of education while 13% (19) had no
15 - 19 91 28.8
education. Again, out of the 137 participants who are
20 - 25 146 46.2 currently consuming alcohol, 72.9% (100) were not married
26 - 30 55 17.4 whiles 27% (37) were married. More than half 54.74% (75)
31 - 35 24 7.59 of current alcohol consumers were employed whiles 45.26%
Education level (62) was among artisans (Table 2).
No education 27 8.5
Primary 40 12.7 Table 2. Alcohol consumption and background characteristics in Tokorni-
Hohoe community.
Middle/JHS 89 28.2
Secondary 99 31.3 VARIABLES FREQUENCY (N=137) PERCENTAGE (5%)
Tertiary 61 19.3 Sex
Marital status Male 101 73.7
Single 253 80.1 Female 36 26.3
Married 63 19.9 Age (years)
15 – 19 29 21.2
Religion
20 – 25 62 45.3
Christian 241 76.3
26 – 30 31 22.6
Muslim 43 10.1
31 – 35 15 10.9
Traditionalist 32 13.6 Education level
OCCUPATION No education 19 13.9
Unemployed 56 17.7 Primary 19 13.9
Trader 60 19.0 Middle/JSS 39 28.4
Artisan 50 15.8 Secondary 31 22.6
Student 111 35.1 Tertiary 29 21.2
Others* 39 12.4 Marital status
Unmarried 100 73.0
*Others include Teachers, Health workers, Pastor, Farmers, Drivers, Security Married 37 27.0
officer, Electrician, and Banker. Religion
Christian 105 76.6
3.2. Youths Currently Consuming Alcohol Muslim 28 20.4
Traditionalist 4 3.0
As high as 43.4% of the youths in Tokorni-Hohoe
Occupation
community are currently consuming alcoholic beverages,
Unemployed 62 45.3
however, almost 70% of the youth had once in their lifetime
Employed 75 54.7
ever consumed alcohol (Figure 1).
209 Emmanuel Osei-Bonsu et al.: Prevalence of Alcohol Consumption and Factors Influencing Alcohol Use
Among the Youth in Tokorni-Hohoe, Volta Region of Ghana

3.4. Frequency of Alcohol Consumption Among Youth community consume alcohol on daily basis, while 22.1%,
17.41% and 13.6% consumed alcohol weekly, monthly and
The study also show that 16% of the youth in the yearly respectively (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Frequency of alcohol consumption among youths in Tokorni-Hohoe community.

3.5. Types of Alcohol Consume by the Youth

The study indicated that alcoholic beverage mostly consumed by the youth in Tokorni-Hohoe was beer (34%), followed by
wine (31%), ‘spirit’ constituted 21% while 14% of the respondents also do not have choice but consume all the alcoholic
beverages (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Types of alcoholic beverage consumed by youth in Tokorni-Hohoe community.

3.6. Factor Contributing to Alcohol Consumption Among alcohol consumption to advertisement, 12.7% were based on
the Youth easy availability and accessibility, 12.2% on social
networking, 9.3% also attributed alcohol consumption to
Almost one-third (30.8%) of the youth are into alcohol parental influence whiles 14.7% attributed it to curiosity
consumption due to peer influence, 20.3% also attributed (Figure 4).
 Science Journal of Public Health 2017; 5(3): 205-214 210

Figure 4. Factors influencing alcohol consumption among the youth in the community.

3.7. Reasons for Alcohol Consumption Among the Youth

There are several reasons why the youth in the community consume alcohol. Majority (28.7%) consumed alcohol to have
fun, followed by appetite for food (24%), relaxation (14.4%), coping with stress (12.8%), sexual enhancement (11.9%), imitate
role model (8%), and unemployment (0.2%) as reason for alcohol consumption (Figure 5).

Figure 5. Reasons for alcohol consumption among youth in the community.

3.8. Associations Between Alcohol Consumption and the consumption and sex (p=0.02), age (p=0.01), level of
Background Characteristics education (p=0.03), religion (p=0.02), and occupation
(p<0.001). To further explore the strength of associations,
There is significant associations between alcohol multiple logistic regression analysis was done to confirm the
211 Emmanuel Osei-Bonsu et al.: Prevalence of Alcohol Consumption and Factors Influencing Alcohol Use
Among the Youth in Tokorni-Hohoe, Volta Region of Ghana

association between alcohol consumption and independent individual within the ages of 15-19. Youth with primary,
variables. The analysis confirmed strong association between JHS/Middle, Secondary and Tertiary education were 62.0%,
alcohol consumption and religion (p=0.011), and occupation 67.0%, 81.0% and 62.0% respectively less likely to consume
(p=0.001). However, it did not confirm an association alcohol than individual with no education. Also, traders
between alcohol consumption and age, sex, and level of (26.0%), artisans (36.0%) and students (75.0%) were less
education. The associations also indicated that females were likely to consume alcoholic drinks than unemployed
43.0% less likely to consume alcoholic beverage than males. individuals. Traditional worshippers were 9.1 times more
Furthermore, individual within the ages of 20-25 years and likely whiles Muslims were 87.0% less likely to consume
26-30 years were 2 times whiles those within 31-35 years age alcohol than Christians (Table 3).
group were 4 times more likely to consume alcohol than

Table 3. Associations between alcohol consumption and background characteristics.

Pearson chi- Square

Attribute Current alcohol consumers N=137 (%) OR1 (95% CI) p-value OR2 (95% CI)
Chi - Square p - Value
Sex
Male 101 (73.72) - -
5.33 0.02 0.113
Female 36 (26.28) 0.57 (0.35- 0.92) 0.76 (0.42-1.36)
Age (years)
15 - 19 29 (21.17) - -
20 - 25 62 (45.26) 1.58 (0.91 -2.73) 1.49 (0.75 - 2.96)
12.20 0.01 0.317
26 -30 31 (22.63) 2.26 (1.38- 5.51) 0.98 (0.38- 2.55)
31 - 35 15 (10.95) 3.56 (1.40-9.09) 1.14 (0.26-5.02)
Education level
No education 19 (13.87) - -
Primary 19 (13.87) 0.38 (0.16 -1.07) 0.36 (0.094-1.38)
Middle/JSS 39 (28.47) 4.93 0.03 0.33 (0.1 -0.83) 0.723 0.56 (0.17-1.86)
Secondary 31 (22.63) 0.19 (0.07-0.49) 0.40 (0.11-1.32)
Tertiary 29 (21.17) 0.38 (0.15-1.00) 0.90 (0.24-3.34)
Marital status
Married 37 (27.01) - -
7.52 0.07 0.122
Unmarried 100 (72.99) 0.45 (0.26-0.81) 0.78 (0.30-1.95)
Religion
Christian 105 (76.64) - -
Muslim 28 (20.44) 6.05 0.02 0.13 (0.05-0.383) 0.011 0.15 (0.05-0.45)
Traditionalist 4 (2.92) 9.07 (3.08-26.65) 4.57 (1.37-15.22)
Occupation
Unemployed 33 (24.09) - -
Trader 31 (22.63) 0.74 (0.36 -1.55) 0.75 (0.33-1.70)
19.36 0.000 0.001
Artisan 24 (17.52) 0.64 (0.30-1.387) 0.71 (0.30-1.66)
Student 29 (21.17) 0.25 (0.12-0.49) 0.30 (0.13-0.68)

This prevalence is higher than a national survey conducted in

4. Discussion Ghana with results indicated 25% prevalence of alcohol
consumption among the youth in Ghana [7]. The significant
Data was collected from 316 respondents aged 15-35 difference can be attributed to unrestricted access or increase
years. Males (66.7%) who participated in this study were number of drinking bars in the community making alcoholic
almost twice the number of females (33.3%). This was due to beverage easily accessibility to the youth therefore increasing
the fact that most females were unwilling to disclose their alcohol consumption.
alcohol use possibly because society frowns on females who Majority of males (73.7%) are currently consuming
consume alcohol. This gender distribution is not surprising alcohol while the number of females’ currently consuming
because it is consistent with previous studies conducted by [1 alcohol is 26.3%. This findings is in line with a study
& 23], whose study also reveals more males participation conducted to know the prevalence of psychoactive substance
than females. Most of the respondents who consume alcohol use among the youth, where their findings also indicated that
were in their active age (20-25) which accounts for males (67%) were consuming alcohol whiles (33%) females
approximately 45% and the least was recorded among the were consuming alcohol [23]. The reason may be due to
age group of 31-35. This indicates that alcohol consumption gender difference because society encourage males’ alcohol
decreases with increasing age, and this finding is also consumption but not female alcohol consumption.
supported by the result of Ghana Demographic and Health Findings on how frequent respondents consume alcohol
Survey [8]. indicate that more males consumed alcohol on a typical day
The findings indicate that the prevalence of alcohol than their female counterparts. Again, more males were
consumption among the youth in Tokorni-Hohoe was 43%. found to consume alcohol within the preceding week than
 Science Journal of Public Health 2017; 5(3): 205-214 212

females. This finding is in line with a study conducted by [8 consumption and religion. Muslims were less likely to
& 24] who found that males consume more alcohol on a consume alcohol than Christians or a traditionalist. This is
typical day or weekly than females. This could be that, males because the doctrine of Muslims prohibits the use of alcohol
are more likely to be stressed up after a hard physical day’s in any of their activities whiles Christians and Traditional
work, so they result in drinking alcohol to release their stress. Worshippers use alcohol in most of their activities such as
The result indicated that most of the youth consume more weddings, funerals and pouring libation. This is not
alcohol weekly, followed by monthly, daily and yearly supported by a study conducted by [28] and the disparities
respectively. This finding is similar to a study conducted in may be due to differences in environment.
Nigeria to know some factors on alcohol use and abuse The results indicate that employed individuals were more
among University students, and their findings show that likely to consume alcohol than unemployed individuals. This
alcohol was mostly consumed daily and weekly [20]. may be due to the fact that employed individual can afford
Alcoholic beverages that were mostly consumed by the most of the alcoholic beverage so they drink it whenever they
youth were in the form of beer, wine and spirit respectively. feel like drinking alcohol. However, when further multiple
This is an indication that most of the youth are at risk of regression analysis was done, there was strong association
developing lung cancer because a review of epidemiology between alcohol consumption and religion, and occupation
evidence on alcohol and lung cancer shows that individuals but it did not confirm the association between alcohol
who consume beer are at higher risk of developing lung cancer consumption and age, sex, marital status and educational
[25]. This finding also agrees with [12] survey in Gambia level. This was due to confounding factors that were not
among the youth, which found out that beer was mostly used accounted for in the study. Out of the listed factors that
by the youth, followed by wine and spirit. This could be that, influence the youth to consume alcohol, almost three-fourth
beer is one of the alcoholic beverages that are mostly of the respondents attributed alcohol consumption to peer
advertised on social media and the youth out of curiosity want influence, followed by advertisement and easy availability or
to know how it tastes, therefore increasing it consumption. accessibility. Others attributed alcohol consumption to social
There was significant association between alcohol networking, parental influence and curiosity respectively.
consumption and all the socio-demographic factors except These findings conform to a study conducted by [29] also
marital status. Surprisingly, the likelihood of alcohol found that peer influence is the major factor that influences
consumption among females was higher as compared to alcohol consumption. This result indicates that the youth are
males. This is probably due to women empowerment where more prone to peer pressure, and for them to be accepted
females are now empowered to compete with their male among their peers, they also have to consume alcohol to
counterpart. However, this finding is not consistent with a please them. This increases the likelihood of alcohol
study conducted by [26] who found that males are more consumption among the youth whose peers are drunkards.
likely to consume alcoholic beverage than females. Responses from the respondents indicate that most of the
There was an association between alcohol consumption youth consume alcohol to have fun, followed by using it as
and age. Alcohol consumption was found to be highest an appetizer, to relax, to cope with stress, to satisfy partner,
among the age group of 20-25 and lowest within the age imitating role model and unemployment was the least factor.
group of 31-35. This result indicated that alcohol This findings were consistent with a study conducted [1] who
consumption decreases with increasing age. This means that also found similar reasons associated with substance use in
young individuals are more likely to consume alcohol than secondary school student.
adults. On the contrary, the finding disagrees with [23 & 27] Frequency distribution of how people feel when they are
who found that alcohol consumption increases with able to consume alcohol shows that majority of the
increasing age. The difference may be due to the fact that respondents feel matured when they drink alcohol, followed
their study was conducted in their various countries therefore by feeling happy and feeling richer than peers. Others feel
having a larger sample size, whiles this study was only brave, failure, and prosperous when they drink alcohol. This
focused on one community. feeling only lasts for a short period of time considering its
Alcohol consumption was significantly associated with chronic health effects on the youth.
educational level. The highest alcohol consumption was
found among JHS/Middle and the least was recorded among 5. Conclusion
primary students and individuals with no formal education.
This indicates that the individuals with higher education are Generally, both males and females were found to consume
more likely to consume alcohol than those without formal alcohol; however females were less likely to consume
education. This finding is supported by a previous study alcohol than males. Beer was the commonest alcoholic
conducted by [8]. beverage consume by the youth. Most of the respondents
With regard to marital status, unmarried individuals were revealed that peer influence is the major factor that
more likely to consume alcohol than married women. influences alcohol consumption. Alcohol use was mostly
Similarly, these findings is consistent with national survey on attributed to having fun but these feelings are ephemeral,
substance use among the youth in Ghana [7]. considering its chronic effect on the youth.
There was a strong association between alcohol
213 Emmanuel Osei-Bonsu et al.: Prevalence of Alcohol Consumption and Factors Influencing Alcohol Use
Among the Youth in Tokorni-Hohoe, Volta Region of Ghana

Recommendations organization. Ghana.

Central Government and policy makers at the local [9] GSS, G., & Macro, I. C. F. (2009). Ghana demographic and
health survey 2008. Accra, Ghana: Ghana Statistical Service,
level should enact policies to restrict the sales of Ghana Health Service, and ICF Macro.
alcohol to the youth and also limit ages that have access
to alcohol. [10] Luginaah, I., & Dakubo, C. (2003). Consumption and impacts
The DHMT should incorporate campaigns against of local brewed alcohol (akpeteshie) in the Upper West
Region of Ghana: a public health tragedy. Social Science &
alcohol both in-school and out-of-school programmes, Medicine, 57 (9), 1747–1760.
to mitigate the use of alcohol among the youth if not
total abstinence. [11] Adu-Mireku, S. (2003). The prevalence of alcohol, cigarette,
Health promoters should include negative effects of and marijuana use among Ghanaian senior secondary students
in an urban setting. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, 2
alcohol consumption in their health messages to (1), 53–65.
sensitize the youth on the harmful effects of alcohol.
Parents should also monitor their children’s behaviour [12] Odejide, A. O. (2006). Status of drug use/abuse in Africa: A
to reduce the likelihood of their peers introducing them review. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction,
4 (2), 87–102.
to alcohol consumption.
Researchers should conduct similar studies in the [13] World Health Organization (2004). Global status report on
Hohoe Municipality in order to know the true alcohol 2004. Available from:
prevalence of alcohol among the youth in the http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/publications/global_statu
s_report_2004_overview.pdf.
Municipality.
Further, researchers should also conduct studies to [14] Muula, A. S., Kazembe, L. N., Rudatsikira, E., & Siziya, S.
determine the prevalence of lung cancer among the (2008). Suicidal ideation and associated factors among in-
youth in the community. school adolescents in Zambia. Tanzania Journal of Health
Research, 9 (3), 202–206.
[15] World Health Organization (2011). Global status report on
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