ArticleBMC public health2026
Adolescents' awareness of and attitudes towards alcohol and substance use in Kenya.
Article in BMC public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
background and purposeAlcohol and substance use disorders (ASUD) are highly prevalent among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa and co-occur with mental health disorders. This study aimed to understand adolescents’ awareness of and attitudes toward ASUD and their mental health literacy, with the long-term goal of informing the development of a preventive intervention.
methodsAn exploratory qualitative study included 144 adolescents (aged 15–19) in 12 focus group discussions (FGDs). Participants were purposely sampled from three informal settlements in Nairobi and Kiambu counties, Kenya. Separate FGDs were conducted for boys and girls in two age groups (15-17 and 18-19). FGDs were audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated into English as needed, and analyzed using deductive thematic content analysis.
resultsThemes were identified to guide the results from the data, including “mental health knowledge”, “Alcohol and Substance Use knowledge”, “predictors of mental health,” and “predictors of ASU usage”. Adolescents identified ASUDs as significant community problems, but at the same time, perceived that some substances like shisha (Hookah) were harmless. They also acknowledged that environmental factors, like financial and social pressures, increase the risk of ASUD. Adolescents made the connection that family members’ alcohol and substance use (ASU) and easy accessibility of alcohol and other substances of abuse in the community present a further risk for substance use. Adolescents highlighted that future interventions should include mental health and substance use education (risks and coping strategies) and access to non-stigmatizing support, including community-based support and virtual engagement via mobile technology. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The findings showed that adolescents are aware of ASUD in their communities and its dangers, highlighting the critical need for effective ASU prevention and intervention among adolescents. They identified a combination of community-based support and virtual engagement via mobile technology.
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