Abstract:
Societal factors influencing adolescent alcohol initiation and use are not well documented
in Tanzania. The goal of this qualitative study was to explore the structural and environmental
factors influencing adolescent alcohol uptake and use in urban Tanzania. 177 adolescents
aged 15–19 from varying socioeconomic backgrounds participated in 16 participatory
groups (separated by sex and in-school/out-of-school status) at sites in four different locations
in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Participatory methods were used, including listing and
ranking activities, and photovoice, exploring adolescent’s perceptions around youth alcohol
use, and recommendations for structural interventions to prevent or reduce adolescent alcohol
uptake and use. Themes included: (1) “idle time” shapes adolescent alcohol use in urban
Tanzania; (2) societal influences shape the locations where adolescents consume or purchase
alcohol; and, (3) adolescents’ recommendations about structural approaches for reducing
their idle time and vulnerability to alcohol use. Our findings highlight the need for programs
and policies aimed at reducing youth idle time as an approach to reducing alcohol use,
such as increasing opportunities for employment, extracurricular activities, and entertainment,
particularly for adolescent boys in urban Tanzania, given their increased vulnerability
to the uptake and use of alcohol.
