ISSN 2326-7291
International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 8 (4), pp. 001-005, April, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Alcohol consumption in Lusaka urban district, Zambia: A population based survey, 2007
Selestine H. Nzala1, Olusegun Babaniyi2, Peter Songolo2, Adamson S. Muula3, Emmanuel Rudatsikira4 and Seter Siziya1*
1Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.
2World Health Organization Country Office, Lusaka, Zambia.
3Department of Community Health, University of Malawi, College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi.
Accepted 14 March, 2019
Abstract
Alcohol use is an important preventable risk factor for several non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and injuries that is related to lifestyle choices. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of alcohol consumption and its correlates. A cross sectional study utilizing a WHO stepwise approach to surveillance of NCDs was conducted in Lusaka district, Zambia. Current alcohol consumption was defined as having consumed alcohol in the previous 30 days to the survey. Complex samples logistic regression was used to determine independent predictors. A total of 1928 individuals participated in the survey. A third of the participants were males and 53.2% were in the age group 25 to 34 years. Overall, 35.8% of the respondents had attained secondary level of education. The prevalence for current consumption of alcohol was 20.7% (37.9% of males and 12.2% of females). Sex was associated with alcohol consumption, with females being 68% (AOR = 0.32, 95%CI [0.20, 0.51]) less likely to consume alcohol compared to male respondents. Age, education, body mass index and sedentary were not independently associated with alcohol consumption. The high prevalence of alcohol use among Zambian adults indicates an urgent need for specific measures such as public awareness campaigns, policies, and regulations.
Key words: Alcohol consumption, gender, Zambia.