Problem drinking among a cross-sectional national sample of adolescents in South Africa: Prevalence and associated factors

Abstract

The goal of this investigation was to assess the prevalence and correlates of problem drinking among adolescents in South Africa. Data were from a national cross-sectional survey of 2 290 adolescents that participated in the 2012 South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1: females = 50.9%). Results indicated that the prevalence of problem drinking was 12.0% overall; 17.0% among males and 7.4% among females. Almost one in every eight adolescents reported problem drinking. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, socio-demographics factors of older age, male sex, working status, and experience of traumatic life events predicted problem drinking. Lifestyle choices of current tobacco use, high physical activity, and frequent intake of snacks also predicted problem drinking. Interventions to prevent problem drinking by teenagers should prioritise predispositional factors and modifiable lifestyle choices, particularly in older, male teenagers.