Factors Contributing to Alcoholism Among the Youth in New Edubiase of Adansi South District in Ashanti Region-Ghana

Abstract

The future of every nation lies in the hands of the youth who are expected to be strong and healthy. Most youths put their future into jeopardy by indulging in risky health habits, particularly alcoholism. The purpose of this study was to find out the factors contributing to Alcoholism among the youth in New Edubiase. The study was quantitative with a descriptive cross-sectional design. The study population was a youth in New Edubiase. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 350. A questionnaire was used for collecting the data. The results were presented in frequencies, percentages and chi-square test. The study found out that the use of alcohol among the youth was low as most of them were uncertain of taking alcoholic beverages. Again, there was high knowledge about alcohol use and its implication on the health of abusers. Further, interventions for alcohol use include punishment of alcohol abusers, enforcement of laws on sales of alcoholic products and the prohibition of an advertisement on alcohol before 9:00 pm. In conclusion, the high knowledge of the youth about alcoholic products and the effect of the health of alcohol abusers could be due to the effort of a health care professional in educating the masses about the health implication. It was recommended that the Food and Drugs Authority must ensure that all media houses adhere to the new directive on the ban of advertisements on alcoholic beverages before 9:00 pm.