Socioeconomic differences in alcohol and drug use among Ghanaian adolescents

Socioeconomic differences in experimental alcohol use, drunkenness, marijuana use and other drug uses among adolescents in Ghana was investigated using multiple socioeconomic indicators. A school-based cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of 12–18-year-olds (N = 1195, response rate = 89.7%) was conducted in Ghana in 2008. Logistic regression analysis was applied to model the associations between substance use and socioeconomic status. Use of marijuana and drugs was associated with lower material affluence while experimental alcohol use was associated with higher material affluence. Living in non-nuclear family was predictive of other drug uses and drunkenness. Other drug uses were associated with lower paternal education and occupation while drunkenness was associated with lower paternal education. Individual anticipated future social position measured by plans after graduation was the strongest predictor of experimental alcohol use, drunkenness, marijuana and other drug uses. Interventions are need to prevent adolescence substance use especially among those in danger of discontinuing schooling and those in less affluence families.

► Lower MAS was associated with marijuana use, other drug uses, and drunkenness.
► Living in a non-nuclear family was associated with other drug uses and drunkenness.
► Lower paternal education was associated with other drug uses and drunkenness.
► Poor school performance was associated with alcohol use.
► Intention to discontinue schooling strongly predicted all substance uses.