ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine the prevalence of excessive alcohol intake (EAI) and cigarette smoking (CS) in schoolchildren of Brazzaville. Methods: This cross sectional survey included a representative population of schoolchildren in Brazzaville (603 schoolchildren divided 325 girls and 278 boys). Results: The prevalence of EAI was 9% (n = 54). The mean age of EAI children was 16.2 ± 1.3 years (range: 13 - 18 years) vs 11.4 ± 3.4 years (range: 5 - 18 years) for no EAI children (p < 0.001). In logistic regression, the independents determinants of EAI were: age, alcoholism in parent, orphans, siblings, low social level. The receiving operative curve (ROC) of age and EAI shown a sensitivity of 74.1% and specificity of 85.1% for 15.5 years: area under curve (AUC) = 0.891 (95% IC: 0.86 - 0.92; p < 0.001). The prevalence of CS was 2.5% (n = 15). The mean age of smokers children was 15.9 ± 1.5 years (range: 13 - 18 years) vs 11.7 ± 3.6 years (range: 5 - 18 years) for no smokers children (p < 0.01). In logistic regression, the independents determinants of CS were: siblings, migration, orphans, male sex. The ROC of age and cigarette smoking shown a sensitivity of 73.3% and specificity of 73.6% (AUC: 0.839; 95% IC: 0.77 - 0.90; p = 0.035) for 14.5 years. Conclusion: Low social level, siblings, addictions in parents were correlate addictions in schoolchildren. It is necessary to prevent the acute and futures complications of this addiction in our children.

Keywords:

Smoking, Alcohol, Child, School, Sub-Saharan Africa

1. Introduction

Smoking and alcohol addictions are recognized as cardiovascular risk factors [1] . These addictions are becoming an increasingly plagues among children and adolescents, exposing them to acute and chronic complications [1] [2] [3] .

Worldwide, the school children are also exposed to these addictions. These addictions affect all regions of the world, and are favored by globalization and habits changes [4] . Some social and family factors are also implicated [4] [5] [6] . In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), these addictions were evaluated mainly in adolescents [7] [8] . Thus, the prevalence of alcoholism in adolescents varies from 16.7% in Tanzania [9] to 55.5% in Gabon [7] ; and the smoking of 10.6% in South Africa [6] to 21% in Gabon [7] . In South Africa, these addictions among adolescents had correlate with crime, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer [1] . In Congo, the law banning smoking in and around schools was adopted, to reduce tobacco-related diseases [10] .

In 2005, the prevalence of alcoholism in adolescent was 22.8% in urban area of Brazzaville [5] . In School area of Brazzaville, any study concern addictions has been conducted.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of excessive alcohol intake (EAI) and cigarette smoking (CS) among schoolchildren in Brazzaville.

2. Methods

2.1. Type, Area and Period of Study

This cross sectional survey was conducted from March to May 2011 (3 months) in primary and secondary education schools from city of Brazzaville (Republic of Congo). Schools were randomly selected according to their distribution zones (North and South) and exercise (public or private).

2.2. Subjects

A representative sample of 603 children and adolescents were included (325 girls, 278 boys). A selection of 1/10 was carried out among 219 schools from the city of Brazzaville at the time of the survey. At the time of the study, this town had three school districts, according to the division made by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education of Congo. The criteria of inclusion approach were consistent with that of Kimbally-kaky et al. [11] . Thus, the calculated sample size was 600 + 6 (10% potential missing) = 606 eligible schoolchildren. A questionnaire was used during the study. The ethical guidelines of the Helsinki protocol were followed, and approval of the Ethics Board of the Faculty of Health Sciences has been obtained.

2.3. Variables Analyzed

They were epidemiological: age, sex, educational level, number of siblings, social level, excessive alcohol intake and cigarette smoking, addiction among parents.

2.4. Definitions

Migration has been defined by living in Brazzaville for less than 2 years. Adolescence defined by the children of 10 to 18 years old, according to the definition of WHO. Promiscuity was in occupation of a bedroom with 4 or more children. Orphans were children who lost both 2 parents, or those who lost a parent, but not living with the living. The high social status was defined by occupation and salary of parents. EAI was define for use at least once a week, and CS by frequent use in the past 30 days [1] .

2.5. Statistical Analysis

Data were processed using Epi Info 3.3.2® (CDC Atlanta, USA) and SPSS 16 for Windows®. The qualitative variables are presented as numbers and percentages; the quantitative as mean ± standard déviation (s.d) with range. The independents determinants of EAI and CS were calculated by logistic regression. The receiving operating curve (ROC) were build for evaluation of the area under curve (AUC) to etablish the relationship of age with addictions. The level significance of results was 0.05.

3. Results

Among the schoolchildren, there were 325 girls (53.8%), 308 adolescents (51%) and 38 orphans (6.3%). The other epidemiological characteristics are reported in Table 1.

3.1. Excessive Alcohol Intake

We noticed 54 schoolchildren (9%, 95% CI: 6.9 - 11.6) who admitted to regularly drinking alcohol. There were 26 girls (8%, 95% CI: 5.4 - 11.6) and 28 males (10.1%, 95% CI: 6.8 - 14.2). The prevalence of EAI according to age range is

given in Figure 1(a). The distribution of students according to EAI and education, adolescence, orphans, high social status, and alcohol consumption of parents is given in Table 2. The mean age of EAI children was 16.2 ± 1.3 years (range: 13 - 18 years) vs 11.4 ± 3.5 years (range: 5 - 18 years) for others (p < 0.001). The average sibling of EAI children was 4.3 ± 2.2 (range: 1 - 10) vs 3.3 ± 1.8 (range: 1 - 12) for others (p < 0.0001). Independent determinants of EAI in logistic regression are noted in Table 3. The ROC of relationship between age and EAI has objectified an AUC of 0.891 (95% CI: 0.86 - 0.92; p < 0.001) with a sensitivity of 74.1% and a specificity of 85.1% for 15.5 years old (Figure 2).

3.2. Cigarette Smoking

Fifteen students (2.5%, 95% CI: 1.5 - 4.2) admitted to being active smokers. The distribution of smokers children by school level, adolescence, high social status, parental smoking and orphans is reported in Table 2. The mean age of smokers

*NS: no significant; **HSL: High social level.

HSL: High social level.

was 15.9 ± 1.5 years (range: 13 - 18 years) vs 11.7 ± 3.6 years (range: 5 - 18 years) for others (p = 0.005). The evolution of prevalence of CS by age range is given in Figure 1(b). The average siblings of smoking was 5.6 ± 2.5 (range: 3 - 10) vs 3.4 ± 1.8 (range: 1 - 12) in no-smokers (p = 0.08). Independent determinants of CS are shown in Table 3. The ROC analysis of the relationship between age and CS showed a sensitivity of 73.3% and a specificity of 73.6% (AUC = 0.839, 95% CI: 0.77 - 0.90, p = 0.035) for 14.5 years old (Figure 2(b)).

4. Discussion

4.1. Limitation of Methodology

This study was conducted in school facilities in the capital of Congo. Thus, the prevalence of addiction is not about the school environment or the reality of the other cities. We did not investigate the link between addiction and medical history, or biological variables. Intoxication addiction has not been identified in all (dosage, quality, quantity and type of alcohol consumed, quality of tobacco). Similarly, some social aspects such as the environment, the context of social conflict and the influence of associates have been addressed. Some aspects to parents such as domestic violence or the return of a conflict zone have not been considered. Nevertheless, this is the first study that assesses smoking in schools of Brazzaville.

4.2. Excessive Alcohol Intake

Its prevalence in schools is 9%. But its consumption is more evident among older students (16.2 years): 32.8% of boys and 25.7% girls. The independent determinants of alcoholism in our series are: age, addiction in parents, large families and low socio-economic level. Mabiala et al. [5] had reported a prevalence of 22.8% among adolescents in urban areas, among them 19.3% were enrolled. This author had linked alcoholism to age, but also death, divorce and parental alcoholism [5] . In sub-Saharan Africa, it is mostly teenagers who are affected. In Zambia, Swhan et al. describes a major impact of advertising on alcohol consumption among students, and the prevalence was 42.6% [4] . In Gabon, Mimbila-Mayi et al. reported a prevalence of 55.5% among adolescents [7] . In rural South Africa, the prevalence of alcoholism is 22% among school adolescents [12] . In this country, consumption mainly concerns the high teens, male, school late, but there is no impact of social status [13] . Also, parental influence is revealed as an important determinant [14] . Alcohol is also implicated in the occurrence of suicidal ideation in adolescents [2] . For Karibu et al., religion is revealed an important factor against alcoholism among adolescents [8] .

4.3. Cigarette Smoking

Its prevalence was 2.5%, but 8.2% among schoolchildren over 16 years old. This is from 12 years schoolchildren smoke in our series. Girls smoke very little (0.3%). Indeed, sub-Saharan Africa, tobacco use among girls is interpreted as a sign of lightness and molestation [8] . The law against tobacco adopted in Congo prohibits the sale of tobacco near schools [10] . Moreover, this law prohibits advertising and promotion of tobacco by the media. However, the prevalence of CS of our study is comparable to 5.1% gain in Tanzania [2] . In contrast, the rate of smoking among adolescents is higher in other African countries: 15.5% in Tanzania [9] , 21.5% in Gabon [7] and 39.1% in South Africa [6] . It should be noted that the prevalence of smoking are much higher outside Africa 47.5% in Chile and 44.7% in the USA [2] . Factors associated with smoking in our series were: age, large family, migration, orphans and male sex and low social status. In his series, Madu et al. had as other factors associated with smoking: stress, fatigue and parties [6] . Mexico Reddy Jacobs et al. had the link between low social status and tobacco consumption [3] .

4.4. Outlook

The influence of age in addiction seems attached to the sense of independence of adolescents, but also the impact of the environment, particularly advertising [4] [12] . The influence of the use of these substances among parents is also a key element, as well as deleterious social environment. In Congo, although tobacco advertising is prohibited, internet and foreign channels still allow this promotion. In view of acute and chronic consequences of alcoholism and smoking, including cardiovascular disease, prevention seems an inexpensive way to fight in our country. This primary prevention targeting children in schools should be integrated into school curricula and should be done early [15] . It was noted that children whose process of consumption of these substances is likely to emerge, the intervention must be early [15] . Indeed, once the addiction developed neuroanatomical and pharmacological changes will the various interventions to be uncertain and often contain no improvement [14] .

5. Conclusion

Smoking and alcoholism addictions among schoolchildren in Brazzaville concern mainly male adolescents. The use of alcohol is greater than that of the tobacco. This fact marks the change of manners, and exposes these students to acute complications and later chronicles. Prevention should be done early, targeting the associated factors.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank M. Ngakala Ignace, CEO of University Hospital of Brazzaville and Mrs. Opimbat-Mboundza Charlotte for their logistical support. The team of investigators on the grounds included: Dr Sah Mbou Bertrand, Dr Esther Ngoyi Ontsira, Dr Elion-Ossibi Pierlesky, Dr Togho Lande, Dr Pierre Poaty, Dr Kevin Bouhelo-Pam, Miss Okiemy Cardinale, M. Fabrice Nkoua, M. Ngouma Amour, M. Nguenguie Kessara and Dr Atipo-Tsiba PW.

Cite this paper

Okoko, A.R., Bo- wassa, G.E., Mbolla, B.F.E., Engoba, M., Ossou-Nguiet, P., Kimbally-Kaky, S.-G. and Moyen, G.M. (2017) Excessive Alcohol In- take and Cigarette Smoking among Black Schoolchildren in a Central African City (Brazzaville, Congo). Open Journal of Pediatrics, 7, 18-25. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojped.2017.71003

References