{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,5]],"date-time":"2026-10-05T18:48:52Z","timestamp":1791226132951,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":29,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,27]],"date-time":"2025-03-27T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1743033600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,27]],"date-time":"2025-03-27T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1743033600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["BMC Public Health"],"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n          <jats:sec>\n            <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n            <jats:p>Substance use among youth has significant implications for health, development, and society. In Mozambique, where youth form a large segment of the population, understanding the prevalence and factors associated with alcohol and drug use is essential for effective public health strategies. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with alcohol and drug use among adolescents and young adults in Mozambique.<\/jats:p>\n          <\/jats:sec>\n          <jats:sec>\n            <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n            <jats:p>This study is a secondary data analysis of the 2019 Violence Against Children Survey (VACS), a nationally representative cross-sectional survey targeting individuals aged 13\u201324 years. Data collection were collected using face-to-face interviews with a structured questionnaire. The analysis focused on the prevalence and patterns of self-reported alcohol and drug use and identified potential socio demographic and behavioral factors associated with substance use among the youth.<\/jats:p>\n          <\/jats:sec>\n          <jats:sec>\n            <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n            <jats:p>The overall prevalence of alcohol use was 29.7%, and drug use was 22.5%. Among individuals aged 18\u201324 years, alcohol use was significantly higher (aOR\u2009=\u20093.8, 95% CI: 2.9\u20134.9, <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\u2009&lt;\u20090.001) compared to those aged 13\u201317 years, while drug use followed a similar pattern (aOR\u2009=\u20092.4, 95% CI: 1.6\u20133.5, <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\u2009&lt;\u20090.001). Gender differences were observed, with females being significantly less likely to report drug use (aOR\u2009=\u20090.5, <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\u2009&lt;\u20090.001). Marital status was associated with a lower likelihood of alcohol use, as married or cohabiting individuals reported less alcohol use (aOR\u2009=\u20090.6, <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\u2009&lt;\u20090.001). Higher educational attainment was associated with an increased likelihood of alcohol use (aOR\u2009=\u20091.8, <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\u2009&lt;\u20090.001). Employment in the past 12 months was protective against both alcohol (aOR\u2009=\u20090.7, <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\u2009&lt;\u20090.001) and drug use (aOR\u2009=\u20090.7, <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\u2009=\u20090.014). Notably, those who experienced sexual violence in childhood were less likely to consume alcohol (aOR\u2009=\u20090.4, <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\u2009&lt;\u20090.001) and use drugs (aOR\u2009=\u20090.5, <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\u2009=\u20090.004), while those whose first sexual intercourse was pressured or forced were more likely to engage in substance use.<\/jats:p>\n          <\/jats:sec>\n          <jats:sec>\n            <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n            <jats:p>The findings highlight the significant prevalence of alcohol and drug use among adolescents and young adults in Mozambique, with notable socio-demographic and behavioral disparities. Factors such as age, gender, marital status, educational attainment, and employment status influence substance use patterns. Additionally, traumatic experiences, including childhood sexual violence and forced or pressured first sexual intercourse, play a complex role in shaping substance use behaviors. These findings emphasize the need for integrated public health interventions that address prevention, mental health support, and socio-economic disparities to reduce substance use and promote the well-being of Mozambique\u2019s youth.<\/jats:p>\n          <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-025-22360-9","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,27]],"date-time":"2025-03-27T09:09:11Z","timestamp":1743066551000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["Patterns of self-reported alcohol and drug use among children and youth: Mozambique violence against children survey (VACS) 2019"],"prefix":"10.1186","volume":"25","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8901-2240","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Cynthia","family":"Sem\u00e1 Baltazar","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7384-4632","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Auria","family":"Ribeiro Banze","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8721-085X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Rachid","family":"Muleia","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,27]]},"reference":[{"issue":"1","key":"22360_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"275","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-022-12586-2","volume":"22","author":"W Frobel","year":"2022","unstructured":"Frobel W, Grafe N, Meigen C, Vogel M, Hiemisch A, Kiess W, et al. 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The survey protocol received independent review and approval from the Mozambique National Bioethics Committee for Health (CNBS), the INS Institutional Bioethics Committee for Health (CIBS-INS), and the CDC Institutional Review Board, ensuring the protection of the rights and welfare of all human research participants. The study protocols and the training of interviewers followed rigorous standards designed to ensure the safety, privacy, and confidentiality of the children and youth participating in the survey.The informed consent process began with obtaining consent from the head of household. For participants under 18 years of age, parental or guardian consent was required. Participants aged 18 and older, as well as emancipated minors, provided their own written informed consent. Emancipated minors were defined as individuals aged 13\u201317 who were either married or previously married, living alone without adult supervision (with both parents deceased and not living in a care facility), or those heading a household and caring for siblings.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Ethics approval and consent to participate"}},{"value":"Not applicable.","order":3,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Consent for publication"}},{"value":"The authors declare no competing interests.","order":4,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Competing interests"}}],"article-number":"1159"}}