Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39988373›Full record

ArticleDrug and alcohol review2025

Alcohol use in Iraq: Perceptions of interviewed students at three Iraqi universities.

Mustafa Al Ansari, Angela Dawson, Mohammed S AbdulZahra, Katherine M Conigrave

Abstract read
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Article in Drug and alcohol review, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Mustafa Al AnsariCentre for Alcohol Policy Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.ORCID 0000-0003-4989-8686
Angela DawsonFaculty of Health, The University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.ORCID 0000-0003-0926-2202
Mohammed S AbdulZahraFaculty of Medicine, University of Kufa, Najaf, Iraq.
Katherine M ConigraveSydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-6428-1441

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionIraq has faced decades of conflict and increased exposure to alcohol use. While the majority (60%) of Iraq's population is under the age of 24, there is no research examining their views on alcohol use and related factors. This study explores how the individual, interpersonal and social contexts of university students may influence their experiences and perceptions of alcohol use.

methodsWe undertook a qualitative study underpinned by a socio-ecological framework and the alcohol use motivational model. Forty students from 11 disciplines at three universities across Iraq were interviewed (45% female). Interviews were conducted in English (n = 3) or Arabic (n = 37). Template analysis was used to examine the data.

resultsPerceptions of the prevalence of alcohol use varied among participants. Perceived motives for drinking included using alcohol to cope with grief, loss, poverty and unemployment; as well as peer pressure, thrill-seeking and social approval. Abstinence was perceived to be associated with knowledge of the adverse effects of alcohol and a commitment to faith. Students reported alcohol use as a clandestine activity. Students suggested education, open communication and employment opportunities as preventative strategies. DISCUSSION AND

conclusionThis is the first study to explore young Iraqi perceptions and experiences of peers' alcohol use in the current context of conflict, political instability and globalisation. Young Iraqis are a vulnerable population who may be at risk of alcohol-related harm. Iraq should consider multidimensional preventive approaches that include evidence-based and culturally appropriate interventions that reflect young people's real-life experiences and challenges.

Indexed as

Alcohol DrinkingAlcohol Drinking in CollegePerceptionStudentsAdolescentAdultFemaleHumansIraqMaleMotivationUniversitiesYoung AdultalcoholIraqMuslim majority countrystudentsyouth

Identifiers

PMID39988373
PMCPMC12117286

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LicenceCC BY-NC
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.