Gambling behaviour and psychosocial correlates among university students in 23 low, middle and emerging economy countries

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate gambling behaviour and psychosocial correlates among university students from 23 low and middle income and emerging economy countries. Using anonymous questionnaires, data were collected from 17789 university students, 41.7% men and 58.3% women, with a mean age of 20.9 years (SD=2.9), from 23 countries across Africa, Asia and Americas. Overall, 27.1% reported gambling less than once a week and 8.4% once a week or more; 13.9% in men and 4.4% in women. Multivariate logistic regression found that male gender, residing in a low or lower middle income country, having been in a physical fight, tobacco use, not always driving within the speed limit, sexual risk behaviour, depression and PTSD symptoms were associated with frequent gambling. Several clustering risk behaviours were identified which can be utilized gambling prevention approaches.