Masters Degrees (DPBS)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (DPBS) by Author "Netope, Rebekka Nangula"

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    The determinants and effects of alcohol use among women in Oshikoto region, Namibia
    (University of Namibia, 2022) Netope, Rebekka Nangula
    Alcohol use is one of the major public health concerns in the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the determinants and effects of alcohol use among women in Oshikoto Region. The study objectives were: to assess the determinants of alcohol use among women in Oshikoto region; to describe the effects of alcohol use among women in Oshikoto region and to assess the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and determinants of alcohol use among women in Oshikoto region. The study adopted a quantitative research approach with analytical, cross-sectional design. Ethical clearance was obtained from the relevant authorities prior to the study. The study population were all women aged 18-49 years residing in the selected constituencies who were receiving their daily medical consultations at Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital and Omuthiya State Hospital during the study. Informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to data collection. The data was collected from one hundred and twenty-one (121) participants who were selected through the purposive sampling. An interviewer-led questionnaire with close-ended questions was used on the voluntary participants to collect the data. The data was analysed by means of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. A chi square statistical test was used to determine the association between variables with the alternative of Fisher exact test. Log-binomial regression reporting risk ratio was applied to assess the association between determinants of alcohol use and risky use of alcohol. The median age of the participants was 33 years. The majority 84 (69.4) of participants lived in rural areas, while 49 (40.5) were single and 75 (62%) had children. The findings indicated that 64 (52.89%) of the respondents use alcohol sometimes in order to cope with their problems. About 56 (46.28%) of the respondents use alcohol when they feel anxious, making them relaxed and forget their challenges. In the univariable log-binomial regression analysis, family history of alcohol use (p value 0.019), peer pressure (p value 0.004), and spending most time iii at cuca shops (p value 0.000) were all significantly associated with an increased risk of harmful use of alcohol. In contrast age (p value 0.329), residence (p value 0. 437), being employed (p value 0.565), education (p value 0.199), and being unemployed (p value 0.777) were not significantly associated with harmful use of alcohol. The study recommends that the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), needs to develop guidelines on preventative measures and awareness programs on alcohol use.