Alcohol Attrition Rate and Associated Factors in Uganda: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach

Abstract

Alcohol and drug use in the Ugandan population has been cited among the major drivers behind the spread of HIV/AIDS; road accidents; domestic violence, to mention but a few. This study focused on assessing the rates of alcohol attrition and associated factors in Uganda clustering by region and residence. The assessment was done using socio-demographic, health, economic and behavioural factors. The study utilised secondary data sourced from the Uganda Non-communicable Diseases Risk Factor Survey consisting of 3987 participants selected countrywide and drawn using a three-stage sampling design. Structural equation modelling was used to identify both the direct and indirect determinants of alcohol attrition rates. Only 1890 out of the 3987 participants had consumed alcohol before and either stopped or reduced their consumption. The highest proportion (57.57%) of these 1890, had an alcohol attrition rate of less than a month. The rates of alcohol attrition were found to be significantly affected directly by sex and smoking status while indirectly affected by sex, age, residence, region and work status. The study recommends that initiatives and programmes geared towards addressing alcohol consumption and abuse should collectively involve addressing other forms of drug abuse especially smoking since it contributes directly to the rate of attrition. These should be also be tailored based on sex with more emphasis given to males since women tend to have higher rates of attrition compared to males. Additionally, different measures should be developed based on target age groups; rural/urban residences and the calibre of work the target group is engaged in.