Citation

Oshi SN, Abel WD, Agu CF, Omeje JC, Smith PW, Ukwaja KN, Ricketts Roomes T, Meka IA, Weaver S, Rae T, Oshi DC. Asian Pac. J. Cancer Prev. 2018; 19(S1): 19-23.

Affiliation

Department of General Studies and Behavioural Sciences, University of the Commonwealth Caribbean, Kingston, Jamaica. Email: sknaks26@yahoo.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, National Cancer Center, Korea, Publisher Asian Pacific Organization for Cancer Prevention)

DOI

10.22034/APJCP.2018.19.S1.19

PMID

29681146

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the potential relationship between Jamaican secondary students' alcohol drinking habits and their family structure.

METHODS: Data collected from a nationally representative survey of 3,365 students were analysed. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed.

RESULTS: Out of the 3,365 students, 1,044 (31.0%) were from single-parent families. Single-parent families, married-parent families and common law-parent families were significantly associated with lifetime use of alcohol (AOR= 1.72, 95% CI= 1.06 - 2.79; AOR= 1.73, 95% CI= 1.07- 2.81, AOR= 1.94, 95%CI= 1.17- 3.21 respectively). However, family structure was not significantly associated with past year and past month alcohol use. Students whose parents "sometimes" knew their whereabouts were significantly less likely to use alcohol in their lifetime compared to students whose parents "Always" knew where the students were.

Conclusion: Family structure is an independent predictor of alcohol use among high school students in Jamaica. Being from single-parent families, married-parent and common- law parent families were significantly associated with increased likelihood for lifetime alcohol use.

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Language: en

Keywords

Single parent; family structure; alcohol consumption; students; Jamaica