Adolescents’ awareness of and attitudes towards alcohol and substance use in Kenya

Bibliographic Data

ID15372917
AuthorsCatherine Mawia Musyoka (0000-0001-6669-9860, University of Nairobi, corresponding author), William Byansi (0000-0003-2880-9357, Boston College), Maurice Amulundu Kalande (HOPE Clinic), Oladoyin Okunoren (0000-0003-1319-066X, Boston College), Elizabeth K Klein (0000-0003-3697-7326, Boston College), Muthoni Mathai (0000-0002-1480-5833, University of Nairobi), Thomas M Crea (0000-0002-8092-7353), Thomas Crea (Boston College)
Year2026
Volume26
Issue1
Publication date2026-02-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBMC Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1471-2458 • E-ISSN: 1471-2458
PublisherBioMed Central (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1186/s12889-026-26427-z
PMID41634629
OpenAlexW7127382076
LanguageEN
References cited32

Alcohol and substance use disorders (ASUD) are highly prevalent among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa and co-occur with mental health disorders. This study aimed to understand adolescents’ awareness of and attitudes toward ASUD and their mental health literacy, with the long-term goal of informing the development of a preventive intervention. An exploratory qualitative study included 144 adolescents (aged 15–19) in 12 focus group discussions (FGDs). Participants were purposely sampled from three informal settlements in Nairobi and Kiambu counties, Kenya. Separate FGDs were conducted for boys and girls in two age groups (15-17 and 18-19). FGDs were audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated into English as needed, and analyzed using deductive thematic content analysis. Themes were identified to guide the results from the data, including “mental health knowledge”, “Alcohol and Substance Use knowledge”, “predictors of mental health,” and “predictors of ASU usage”. Adolescents identified ASUDs as significant community problems, but at the same time, perceived that some substances like shisha (Hookah) were harmless. They also acknowledged that environmental factors, like financial and social pressures, increase the risk of ASUD. Adolescents made the connection that family members’ alcohol and substance use (ASU) and easy accessibility of alcohol and other substances of abuse in the community present a further risk for substance use. Adolescents highlighted that future interventions should include mental health and substance use education (risks and coping strategies) and access to non-stigmatizing support, including community-based support and virtual engagement via mobile technology. The findings showed that adolescents are aware of ASUD in their communities and its dangers, highlighting the critical need for effective ASU prevention and intervention among adolescents. They identified a combination of community-based support and virtual engagement via mobile technology

Biostatistics · Exploratory research · Focus group · Mental health · Psychological intervention · Public health · Qualitative research · Substance use · Thematic analysis · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes