Author(s)

Annie Rachel Okoko, Gaston Ekouya Bowassa, Bertrand Fikahem Ellenga Mbolla^*, Moyen Engoba, Paul Ossou-Nguiet, Suzy-Gisèle Kimbally-Kaky, Georges Marius Moyen

Department of Doctoral Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien Ngouabi University of Brazzaville, Brazzaville, Congo.

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.

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

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