Alcohol, Drug Use, and Sexual-Risk Behaviors among Adolescents in Four Sub-Saharan African Countries

Johannes John-Langba, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)
Alex Ezeh, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)
Georges Guiella, Université de Ouagadougou
Akwasi Kumi-Kyereme, University of Cape Coast
Stella Neema, Makerere Institute of Social Research

Using a unique set of data collected in 2004 from nationally-representative surveys of adolescents, this study examines protective and risk factors associated with alcohol, drug use, and risky sexual behaviors among 12-19 year olds in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Malawi, and Uganda. The specific objectives are to identify protective and risk factors associated with the initiation and sequencing of alcohol use, drugs, and risky sexual behaviors. Data from the surveys show that among sexually active adolescents that have ever drank alcohol in Malawi, about 68% reported not using condoms during their last sexual intercourse with a most recent partner compared to 65% in Uganda, 60% (Burkina Faso), and Ghana (58%). Among adolescents that have ever used a mood-altering substance (drug), about 74% in Malawi reported not using a condom during their last sexual intercourse with their most recent partner compared to 67% in Burkina Faso, 61% (Uganda) and Ghana (51%).