Alcohol Consumption and Its Effects on the Health of Young Adults – Windhoek, Namibia

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS) | Volume V, Issue X, October 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

Alcohol Consumption and Its Effects on the Health of Young Adults – Windhoek, Namibia

 Sheehama J^1*, Nghitongo A², Anyolo F^3
1UNAM School of Medicine, Namibia
²Cancer Association of Namibia, Namibia
³UNAM School of Public Health, Namibia
Corresponding Author*

Abstract: Alcohol consumption, especially in high amounts, has been on the rise globally and Namibia is no exception. The rise thereof and its adverse effects have become a public health concern. Various studies done have indicated that excessive alcohol consumption leads to a great deal of health and social consequences. The main purpose of the study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of young adults on alcohol use and its effects on their health. The study applied a quantitative approach, using a cross-sectional, descriptive and exploratory design to obtain data from 383 participants aged 18 – 30 years. A cluster random sampling method was employed, data was compiled and analysed using SPSS version 25.
Participants were presented with a number of questions to determine their knowledge, attitudes and practices relating to alcohol consumption. Descriptive quantitative statistics were used to analyse and represent demographic information. Frequencies, mean, standard deviation, graphs and tables were used to present the results. The mean age of the respondents was 22.9, ±40.05SD. Majority of respondents were from age 21 -23 (134) both male and female, and females made up majority of respondents in the study from all age groups with 58.5%.
This study found that most of the respondents had good knowledge with more than 67.6% describing awareness and dangers of alcohol. The main dangers and adverse effects of alcohol mentioned where; stomach ulcers, liver damge and increased risk of motor vehicle accidents. Furthermore, 58.7% of respondents agreed that alcohol is a drug, and the majority (87.7%) agreed that 10% of road accidents are alcohol-related. However, respondents showed inadequate knowledge regarding the term “standard drink” and the recommended number of standard drinks considered safe weekly. Overall, respondents had good attitude and safe practices towards alcohol consumption and its effects on their health. An average of 71.3% of respondents are in support that clinicians ask about alcohol consumption for each patient visiting a health facility. This study therefor recommends that there is a need to increase knowledge, improve attitudes and maintain practices towards alcohol consumption and its adverse effects among the youth by creating new platforms to increase awareness and intensify alcohol education.
This can be be achieved by establishing a multisectoral approach between the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), Ministry of Education (MoE) and other relevant stakeholders in Namibia.

Keywords: Alcohol, Health, Young, Consumption

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