Association Between Caregiver and Household Alcohol Use and Child Behavior Problems in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
Abstract
Introduction
This study explored the association between household alcohol use and behavior problems among South-African children, using data from the Asenze study, a population-based cohort of South African children and their caregivers. Household alcohol use and child behavior were assessed when children were 6–8 years old.
Method
To examine the association, the researchers performed linear regressions. The sample included 1383 children with complete data under the care of 1251 adults.
Results
Children living in a household where self-reported caregiver alcohol use was scored as hazardous (4.6%) had higher levels of problem behavior (β = 1.94, 95% CI 0.06–3.82). There were no statistically significant associations between reported hazardous alcohol use by another member of the household (14.5%) and child problem behavior.
Conclusion
Hazardous household alcohol use was associated with child problem behavior and this effect appeared to be mainly driven by primary caregiver use.