Drinking and its effects on risk behaviour amongst secondary school going youth in Windhoek

Abstract

Alcohol consumption is said to constitute an emerging social problem among adolescents and youth in Namibia with one study estimating that 53.5% of youths aged 13-30 use alcohol (Barth and Hubbard, 2009). It is also said to relate to many social problems including HIV risk taking, fighting, trouble with the police and violence among school going youth. It is in this context that the aim of this study was to provide empirical evidence on alcohol use and abuse in relation to risky behaviour amongst school going youths in Windhoek. A survey targeting several schools was conducted in Windhoek. Alcohol consumption and risk taking behaviour were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Chi-square test and logistic regressions were used to examine relationships involving alcohol use and risk taking behaviour. One of the main findings is that gender is a significant predictor of engagement in risk behaviour, such as sexual intercourse without a condom, fighting, trouble with the police and violence among those that engage in drinking. We conclude that there is the need to discourage alcohol use among school going youth as a way of fighting HIV/AIDS and other risk taking behaviour.