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Background and purpose <p>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.</p> Methods <p>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.</p> Results <p>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.</p> Conclusions and implications <p>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.</p>

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

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月4日

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  • Catherine Mawia Musyoka,
  • William Byansi,
  • Maurice Amulundu Kalande,
  • Oladoyin Okunoren,
  • Elizabeth K. Klein,
  • Muthoni Mathai,
  • Thomas M. Crea

摘要

Background and purpose

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.

Methods

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.

Results

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.

Conclusions and implications

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.