Influence of community-level factors on alcohol consumption among adolescents in secondary schools in Kakamega county, Kenya

Abstract

The alcohol abuse issue in Kenya poses significant challenges to health, the economy, and national security, particularly in the Western region where there is the highest prevalence of alcohol consumption among adolescents in Kenya, standing at 42.5%. This paper explores the social phenomenon of alcohol consumption, specifically examining community-level factors influencing adolescents in Kakamega County. While theoretical frameworks like Bronfenbrenner's theory suggest a link between social factors and alcohol use, empirical evidence in Kakamega County is lacking. The current study, rooted in both positivism and post-positivism, employed a mixed-methods approach involving a cross-sectional survey to quantitatively describe community factors and alcohol consumption among adolescents in Kakamega County. Adopting Max Weber's definition, community-level factors are considered as elements of social values and norms adhered to over time within the community. Despite theoretical reasoning highlighting the connection between social factors and alcohol use, a gap exists in empirical evidence in Kakamega County. The primary aim of this paper was to determine the influence of community-level factors on alcoholism in the region. The study, encompassed three sub-counties in Kakamega, sampled 381 respondents from a total adolescent population of 41,373. Employing questionnaire and interview methods, the research found that community-level factors exhibited a positive association (p-value 0.023) with alcoholism among adolescents. The regression coefficient suggested a predicted increase in the log odds of alcohol consumption with a one-unit rise in community factors. However, this association was deemed insignificant at a 95% confidence interval (p-value 0.826). In conclusion, community-level factors may not be the most effective predictors of alcoholism; instead, other factors, particularly individual-level factors, play a more crucial role. The study emphasizes the need for heightened attention to individual and family-level factors, while also acknowledging the role of community-level factors, such as advertisements, availability, and affordability of alcohol, after adolescents have been influenced by individual factors. This nuanced understanding is vital for developing targeted interventions and policies to address alcohol consumption among adolescents in Kakamega County and similar contexts.