Pathways to Alcohol Abuse by School Going Adolescents: A Case Study of Chibombo District of Zambia

Abstract

This article explores adolescents' experiences of alcohol use and abuse in two boarding High Schools of Chibombo District of Zambia. A cross- sectional study design with an emphasis on qualitative approach was done on school pupils in Chibombo district. The study group comprised of 162 pupils both males and females aged between 16 and 20 years and two teachers in charge of school guidance and counseling. The present study employed three data collection strategies: Focus group discussions with 48 pupils, in-depth interviews with two teachers and a survey questionnaire with 92 pupils. The results revealed that factors that induce pupils to engage in alcohol abuse include easy access to cheap alcohol and peer pressure. It was further found out that personal factors such as negative emotional state, pupil's expectations about the function of alcohol are the main causes of alcohol abuse among pupils. In addition to punitive measure against pupils who abuse alcohol, assessment and psychotherapy or counseling of pupils who engage the abuse can go a long in addressing the problem.