Prevalence of illicit alcohol consumption and associated factors among adolescents in selected communities of Lusaka, Zambia

Introduction: Illicit alcohol (illegally brewed alcohol) consumption among adolescents is an increasing public health problem worldwide, with major impacts on individuals, families, and communities. It’s effects may lead to blindness, poisoning, infection, and other health problems. In Zambia, evidence on the burden of illicit alcohol intake and associated factors is limited, particularly in socioeconomically deprived communities. This study estimated the prevalence and examined the socio- demographic, socio-cultural and socio-economic factors that influence illicit alcohol consumption among adolescents between 10–17 years old in selected unplanned settlements in the city of Lusaka, Zambia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in December 2023, among 331 adolescents who reported alcohol use in 24 selected densely populated peri-urban communities of Lusaka, Zambia. Total enumeration was employed to select participants who met the age criteria and were enrolled in the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) program. Face-to-face questionnaire interviews were conducted to collect data on socio-demographic, socio-cultural, socio-economic, and illicit alcohol intake characteristics. Descriptive statistics and graphical presentations were generated, and an investigator-led stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors influencing illicit alcohol consumption, with variables with p-values >0.2 removed from the model. Data were analyzed using STATA version 16 MP, and statistical significance was set at p