Effective school-based preventive interventions for alcohol use in Africa: A systematic review

Sachi Tomokawa, Kimihiro Miyake, Takeshi Akiyama, Yuka Makino, Akihiro Nishio, Jun Kobayashi, Masamine Jimba, Irene Ayi, Sammy M. Njenga, Takashi Asakura

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Despite recognition of the risks of alcohol use and importance of prevention from an early age, the effectiveness of school-based interventions in Africa has not been clarified. Objective: We aimed to identify effective school-based alcohol use prevention interventions in Africa. Methods: We searched eight databases for peer-reviewed articles published until February 3, 2019 that reported on randomized controlled trials, cluster randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, pre-post quasi-experimental studies, cohort studies, and case-control studies. The full-texts of relevant studies were searched. Results: Four of 2797 papers met our eligibility criteria. All reported interventions targeted secondary school students in South Africa and were incorporated in the school curriculum. The interventions comprised multi-component activities with participatory and peer educational methods, and applied modified programs originally developed in the US. However, intervention effects were inconsistent among studies, although the interventions tended to have a positive effect on non-drinkers at baseline, with stronger effects in girls. Conclusion: interventions had positive effects on students that were non-drinkers at baseline, especially girls. Although we could not find robust evidence that school-based interventions changed attitudes, frequency/quantity of drinking, and intentions to use alcohol, one intervention showed an increase in students’ alcohol refusal self-efficacy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1397-1406
Number of pages10
JournalAfrican Health Sciences
Volume20
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Africa
  • Alcohol use
  • School-based preventive interventions
  • Systematic review

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effective school-based preventive interventions for alcohol use in Africa: A systematic review'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this