Semá Baltazar Cynthia, Ribeiro Banze Auria, Muleia Rachid
Instituto Nacional de Saúde, P.O. Box 264, Maputo, Mozambique.
BMC Public Health. 2025 Mar 27;25(1):1159. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-22360-9.
Substance use among youth has significant implications for health, development, and society. In Mozambique, where youth form a large segment of the population, understanding the prevalence and factors associated with alcohol and drug use is essential for effective public health strategies. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with alcohol and drug use among adolescents and young adults in Mozambique.
This study is a secondary data analysis of the 2019 Violence Against Children Survey (VACS), a nationally representative cross-sectional survey targeting individuals aged 13-24 years. Data collection were collected using face-to-face interviews with a structured questionnaire. The analysis focused on the prevalence and patterns of self-reported alcohol and drug use and identified potential socio demographic and behavioral factors associated with substance use among the youth.
The overall prevalence of alcohol use was 29.7%, and drug use was 22.5%. Among individuals aged 18-24 years, alcohol use was significantly higher (aOR = 3.8, 95% CI: 2.9-4.9, p < 0.001) compared to those aged 13-17 years, while drug use followed a similar pattern (aOR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.6-3.5, p < 0.001). Gender differences were observed, with females being significantly less likely to report drug use (aOR = 0.5, p < 0.001). Marital status was associated with a lower likelihood of alcohol use, as married or cohabiting individuals reported less alcohol use (aOR = 0.6, p < 0.001). Higher educational attainment was associated with an increased likelihood of alcohol use (aOR = 1.8, p < 0.001). Employment in the past 12 months was protective against both alcohol (aOR = 0.7, p < 0.001) and drug use (aOR = 0.7, p = 0.014). Notably, those who experienced sexual violence in childhood were less likely to consume alcohol (aOR = 0.4, p < 0.001) and use drugs (aOR = 0.5, p = 0.004), while those whose first sexual intercourse was pressured or forced were more likely to engage in substance use.
The findings highlight the significant prevalence of alcohol and drug use among adolescents and young adults in Mozambique, with notable socio-demographic and behavioral disparities. Factors such as age, gender, marital status, educational attainment, and employment status influence substance use patterns. Additionally, traumatic experiences, including childhood sexual violence and forced or pressured first sexual intercourse, play a complex role in shaping substance use behaviors. These findings emphasize the need for integrated public health interventions that address prevention, mental health support, and socio-economic disparities to reduce substance use and promote the well-being of Mozambique's youth.
青少年物质使用对健康、发展和社会具有重大影响。在莫桑比克，青少年占人口的很大一部分，了解酒精和药物使用的流行情况及相关因素对于有效的公共卫生策略至关重要。本研究旨在评估莫桑比克青少年和青年成人中酒精和药物使用的流行情况及相关因素。
本研究是对2019年暴力侵害儿童调查（VACS）的二次数据分析，这是一项针对13 - 24岁人群的具有全国代表性的横断面调查。数据收集采用面对面访谈和结构化问卷。分析重点关注自我报告的酒精和药物使用的流行情况及模式，并确定与青少年物质使用相关的潜在社会人口统计学和行为因素。
酒精使用的总体流行率为29.7%，药物使用为22.5%。在18 - 24岁的人群中，与13 - 17岁的人群相比，酒精使用显著更高（调整优势比[aOR] = 3.8，95%置信区间[CI]：2.9 - 4.9，p < 0.001），而药物使用遵循类似模式（aOR = 2.4，95% CI：1.6 - 3.5，p < 0.001）。观察到性别差异，女性报告药物使用的可能性显著更低（aOR = 0.5，p < 0.001）。婚姻状况与酒精使用可能性较低相关，因为已婚或同居者报告的酒精使用较少（aOR = 0.6，p < 0.001）。较高的教育程度与酒精使用可能性增加相关（aOR = 1.8，p < 0.001）。过去12个月的就业情况对酒精（aOR = 0.7，p < 0.001）和药物使用（aOR = 0.7，p = 0.014）均有保护作用。值得注意的是，童年经历过性暴力的人饮酒（aOR = 0.4，p < 0.001）和使用药物（aOR = 0.5，p = 0.004）的可能性较小，而首次性行为是被迫或受压力的人更有可能从事物质使用。
研究结果突出了莫桑比克青少年和青年成人中酒精和药物使用的显著流行情况，以及明显的社会人口统计学和行为差异。年龄、性别、婚姻状况、教育程度和就业状况等因素影响物质使用模式。此外，童年性暴力以及被迫或受压力的首次性行为等创伤经历在塑造物质使用行为方面发挥着复杂作用。这些发现强调需要采取综合公共卫生干预措施，解决预防、心理健康支持和社会经济差异问题，以减少物质使用并促进莫桑比克青年的福祉。
