FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO ALCOHOL USE AMONG THE YOUTH AGED (16-35) – A CASE STUDY IN BOLGATANGA MUNICIPALITY OF THE UPPER EAST REGION, GHANA

Abstract

This study explored factors contributing to alcohol use among the youth aged 16-35 years in Bolgatanga, Upper East region of Ghana. The principal objective of the study was to find association of alcohol use among the youth and if socio-cultural, family, peer pressure and educational factors have an influence on study participant’s alcohol use. Mixed methods of data collection were utilized, qualitative and quantitative. A cross sectional descriptive study design was used for the quantitative study whilst a descriptive qualitative approach was employed for the qualitative study. A total of 255 respondents between the ages of 16 to 35 years who use alcohol participated in the study. The quantitative study was made of 219 participants whilst the qualitative was 36 participants. Major findings of the study indicated that advertisements, social acceptance of the use of alcohol during social events, parental actions, Peers, boredom, lack of regulations and some socio demo graphic characteristics such as marital status, educational level, gender and occupation (table 2) contributed to alcohol use among the youth. Based on these findings, the following recommendations were made: public education campaigns on the effects of alcohol use by Ghana Health service/ Christian Health Association of Ghana and religious bodies; Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) placing a ban or regulating advertisement of alcoholic drinks in the media; enacting bi- laws to control the sale and use of alcoholic beverages by Traditional Authorities and the Government. In addition, formation of youth clubs to engage the youth in developmental or other income generating activities; creation of employment opportunities by the district assemblies through youth training schemes and leisure centres to deal with boredom and youth unemployment.