Effect of COVID-19 Lockdown on Alcohol Consumption Among the Youths in Kampala, Uganda. A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to increased loneliness, emotional stress, and idleness due to job losses and school closures which can drive substance use among vulnerable populations like youths. Uganda has been identified as one of the countries with the highest alcohol consumption in Africa. Alcohol predisposes to a number of health concerns including mental health disorders, cardiovascular diseases among others. This study assessed the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on alcohol consumption among youths in Kampala, Uganda.

Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study among randomly selected youth aged 18-35 years living in the five divisions of Kampala. Participation was strictly after informed consent was obtained. 381 youths were interviewed, both students and non-students were included in the study. The AUDIT-C questionnaire was used to measure the frequency and quantity. Frequent was defined as six or more drinks a week.

Results: We enrolled 381 participants in the study with a mean age of 26±4.6 years. More than half (60%) of the participants were male. 71% lived with family during the lockdown. Of the 64% that were employed before the lockdown, 54% lost their jobs. At least 42.5% of the participants reported alcohol consumption during the lockdown. Males consumed twice as much alcohol as females. Generally, the level of alcohol consumption decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic as the percentage of participants consuming alcohol dropped from 47.5% to 42.8%. Despite the overall decrease in the number of participants consuming alcohol, there was an increase in the frequency and amount of alcohol consumed on occasion during the pandemic.

Conclusion: Fewer youths consumed alcohol during the COVID-19 lockdown in Kampala, Uganda. However, those who did significantly increased their drinking amount and frequency. Male youths, those living with friends, and those with poor self-perceived mental health were more likely to increase their alcohol intake. Further investigation into increased alcohol consumption among youths post-COVID is necessary to understand the extent and long-term health implications.