Alcohol consumption amongst young adults living in a low socioeconomic status community in Cape Town

• Sabirah Adams

  University of the Western Cape

• Shazly Savahl

  University of the Western Cape

• Serena Isaacs

  University of the Western Cape

• Cassandra Zeta Carels

  University of the Western Cape

Our aim was to ascertain the extent of risky alcohol consumption amongst young adults living in a low socioeconomic status community in Cape Town, South Africa. We used a cross-sectional survey design and the street intercept method to administer the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). A key finding in this study was that 54.30% of male and 47.90% of the female participants were alcohol dependent, according to the classification criteria set out in the AUDIT. Our finding necessitates further investigations into alcohol consumption amongst young adults in South Africa. In addition, researchers should endeavor not only to identify, but also to understand, the dynamics of risk and resilience factors so that this information could be used to develop intervention initiatives that could mediate young adults’ initial consumption of alcohol.

1. Sabirah Adams, University of the Western Cape
   Department of Psychology
2. Shazly Savahl, University of the Western Cape
   Department of Psychology
3. Serena Isaacs, University of the Western Cape
   Department of Psychology
4. Cassandra Zeta Carels, University of the Western Cape
   Department of Psychology

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