Illicit Alcohol Consumption and Its Associated Factors Among Patrons in Zambia: A cross-sectional analytical study

Cosmas Zyambo ^1,2* Masauso Moses Phiri ^2,3 Richard Zulu ² MUSAWA MUKUPA ² Kumbulani Mabanti ² Tulani Francis L Matenga ⁴ Angela Rizzo ⁵ Anna Hainze ⁶ Ahmed Ogwell ⁷ Dhally Menda ^8,9 Fastone Goma ² Tom Achoki ^10,5

• ¹ School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
• ² Center for primary care research, Lusaka, Zambia
• ³ Department of Pathology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
• ⁴ Department of Health Promotion, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
• ⁵ AB InBev Foundation, New York, United States
• ⁶ Independent researcher, Nairobi, Kenya
• ⁷ United Nations Foundation, New York, United States
• ⁸ University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
• ⁹ Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ), Lusaka, Zambia
• ¹⁰ Africa Institute for Health Policy, Nairobi, Kenya

Introduction: Illicit alcohol consumption is prevalent globally, particularly in low-and middle-income countries where formal regulatory systems are weak or less enforced.Consumption of illicit alcohol has serious consequences, both immediate and long-term.Objective: To examine the socio-demographic and behavioral factors associated with the consumption of illicit alcohol among the patrons in selected urban and peri-urban areas in Zambia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Illicit alcohol consumption status, sociodemographics and behavioral factors were assessed. Adjusted multivariable logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios (AOR) at a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Of the 416 patrons who participated, 71.2% consumed illicit alcohol (Men, 75.3% vs. women 54.7%).More than 66.8% reported needing a drink first thing in the morning, 50.2% have had problems with friends due to alcohol and 19% did indicate having visited the hospital due to a drinking problem. In multivariable analysis, factors significantly associated with decreased odds of illicit alcohol consumption were females (AOR) 0.38 (95% CI: 0.20-0.73, p = 0.003), Ndola city (AOR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.12-0.62, p = 0.002), drinking pattern of 2 to 3 days a month (AOR: 0.19, 95% CI: 0.06-0.53, p = 0.002). Those with incomes above K10,000 (AOR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.19-0.85, p = 0.017) and inability to stop drinking (AOR = 2.86, 95% CI: 1.22-6.69, p = 0.016) had an increased odds of illicit alcohol consumption. Conclusions: Our findings underscore the high prevalence of illicit alcohol consumption among the general population. Addressing illicit alcohol consumption among general population requires a multifaceted set of interventions that consider the various factors contributing to alcohol misuse, and focuses on prevention, education, support, and community engagement.