Duan Zhao1, Joao Ricardo Nickenig Vissoci2,3, Blandina T Mmbaga4,5, Abu S Abdullah1,2, Catherine A Staton2,3. 1. Global Health Research Center, Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan, Jiangsu, China. 2. Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. 3. Division of Emergency Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. 4. Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center, Moshi, Tanzania. 5. Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi, Tanzania.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The Kilimanjaro region has one of the highest rates of reported alcohol use per capita in Tanzania. Alcohol-related risky behaviors pose substantial threats to the health and well-being of alcohol users and the people around them. This study seeks to understand how alcohol-related risky behaviors co-occur with other risky behaviors. METHOD: Latent class analysis (LCA) was applied to examine alcohol-related risky behaviors. The optimal number of latent classes was confirmed by using model fit indices. Negative binomial models were used to test latent classes and their association with harmful and hazardous drinking and perceived alcohol stigma. With the model defined, we explored each class's drinking patterns and risky behavior patterns. RESULTS: A total of 622 (60% male) of 841 participants were included in these analyses because they drank alcohol at least once in their lifetime. Three classes of risky behavior patterns were identified: Class 1, "Limited risk behaviors" (59.7%); Class 2, "Primarily foolish behaviors" (25.6%); and Class 3, "Pervasive risk behaviors" (13.1%). Class 3 had the most alcohol use quantity and frequency. No association between classes and alcohol stigma was found. Compared with males, females are less likely to be classified in Class 2 and 3. CONCLUSIONS: Three different classes of risky behaviors became apparent and were distinguished by gender, age, and personal alcohol use. Our findings suggest a potential role for personalized interventions based on latent classes specifically to reduce risk behaviors.
OBJECTIVE: The Kilimanjaro region has one of the highest rates of reported alcohol use per capita in Tanzania. Alcohol-related risky behaviors pose substantial threats to the health and well-being of alcohol users and the people around them. This study seeks to understand how alcohol-related risky behaviors co-occur with other risky behaviors. METHOD: Latent class analysis (LCA) was applied to examine alcohol-related risky behaviors. The optimal number of latent classes was confirmed by using model fit indices. Negative binomial models were used to test latent classes and their association with harmful and hazardous drinking and perceived alcohol stigma. With the model defined, we explored each class's drinking patterns and risky behavior patterns. RESULTS: A total of 622 (60% male) of 841 participants were included in these analyses because they drank alcohol at least once in their lifetime. Three classes of risky behavior patterns were identified: Class 1, "Limited risk behaviors" (59.7%); Class 2, "Primarily foolish behaviors" (25.6%); and Class 3, "Pervasive risk behaviors" (13.1%). Class 3 had the most alcohol use quantity and frequency. No association between classes and alcohol stigma was found. Compared with males, females are less likely to be classified in Class 2 and 3. CONCLUSIONS: Three different classes of risky behaviors became apparent and were distinguished by gender, age, and personal alcohol use. Our findings suggest a potential role for personalized interventions based on latent classes specifically to reduce risk behaviors.
Authors: Catherine A Staton; Daniel Msilanga; George Kiwango; Joao Ricardo Vissoci; Luciano de Andrade; Rebecca Lester; Michael Hocker; Charles J Gerardo; Mark Mvungi Journal: Int J Inj Contr Saf Promot Date: 2015-08-04
Authors: Joel M Francis; Helen A Weiss; Gerry Mshana; Kathy Baisley; Heiner Grosskurth; Saidi H Kapiga Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-10-07 Impact factor: 3.240