Alcohol among young people in Iraq: a systematic scoping review

Al Ansari, M; Dawson, A; Conigrave, K

Alcohol among young people in Iraq: a systematic scoping review

Al Ansari, M Dawson, A

Conigrave, K

Permalink

Publisher:: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Discover Psychology, 2022, 2, (1)
Issue Date:: 2022-12

Open Access

Copyright Clearance Process

Recently Added
In Progress
Open Access

This item is open access.

Adobe PDF

Download Accepted versionAdobe PDF (750.53 kB)

View on publisher's site

View statistics

Full metadata record

Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Al Ansari, M
dc.contributor.author	Dawson, A https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0926-2202
dc.contributor.author	Conigrave, K
dc.date.accessioned	2022-03-05T02:56:06Z
dc.date.available	2022-03-05T02:56:06Z
dc.date.issued	2022-12
dc.identifier.citation	Discover Psychology, 2022, 2, (1)
dc.identifier.issn	2731-4537
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/154988
dc.description.abstract	<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec> <jats:title>Introduction</jats:title> <jats:p>Young people in Iraq are exposed to conflict and trauma, and to alcohol references in uncensored international TV and media. Previous regional reviews indicate that alcohol is the least studied substance in Arab countries and no data on young people in Iraq were identified. Accordingly, we re-examined the scope of available literature on alcohol and Iraqi young people, including in studies where alcohol was not the primary focus.</jats:p> </jats:sec><jats:sec> <jats:title>Methods</jats:title> <jats:p>Five major international databases (MEDLINE (OVID), Embase (OVID), PsycINFO (OVID), Scopus, Web of Science) and one local Iraqi database (Iraqi Academic Scientific Journals (IASJ)) were systematically searched for published articles up to 16 September 2019. Original articles that included any alcohol data on general Iraqi young or student samples were included.</jats:p> </jats:sec><jats:sec> <jats:title>Results</jats:title> <jats:p>Thirteen articles met the inclusion criteria from a total of 3374 results. All studies were cross-sectional and quantitative. Most alcohol data were incidental rather than the focus of the studies. All but two studies used face-to-face or pen-and-paper surveys. Each study reported on alcohol differently—with most not using validated tools. A wide range of drinking prevalence was reported (2.2%–23.7%). Studies reported a relatively high rate (12.2–56%) of alcohol misuse among those that drink. Alcohol was associated with risky behaviour in the two studies that reported on this measure.</jats:p> </jats:sec><jats:sec> <jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title> <jats:p>Results suggest a low prevalence of drinking compared to non-Muslim Majority Countries (non-MMCs), and a relatively high prevalence of risk amongst drinkers. More research is needed using study methods and validated screening or diagnostic tools tailored for the local Iraqi context.</jats:p> </jats:sec>
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Springer Science and Business Media LLC
dc.relation.ispartof	Discover Psychology
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1007/s44202-022-00024-8
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.rights	This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in [Discover Psychology, 2022, 2, (1)]. The final authenticated version is available online at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44202-022-00024-8]”
dc.title	Alcohol among young people in Iraq: a systematic scoping review
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	2
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - WHO CC
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2022-03-05T02:56:05Z
pubs.issue	1
pubs.publication-status	Published online
pubs.volume	2
utslib.citation.issue	1

Abstract:

Abstract Introduction Young people in Iraq are exposed to conflict and trauma, and to alcohol references in uncensored international TV and media. Previous regional reviews indicate that alcohol is the least studied substance in Arab countries and no data on young people in Iraq were identified. Accordingly, we re-examined the scope of available literature on alcohol and Iraqi young people, including in studies where alcohol was not the primary focus. Methods Five major international databases (MEDLINE (OVID), Embase (OVID), PsycINFO (OVID), Scopus, Web of Science) and one local Iraqi database (Iraqi Academic Scientific Journals (IASJ)) were systematically searched for published articles up to 16 September 2019. Original articles that included any alcohol data on general Iraqi young or student samples were included. Results Thirteen articles met the inclusion criteria from a total of 3374 results. All studies were cross-sectional and quantitative. Most alcohol data were incidental rather than the focus of the studies. All but two studies used face-to-face or pen-and-paper surveys. Each study reported on alcohol differently—with most not using validated tools. A wide range of drinking prevalence was reported (2.2%–23.7%). Studies reported a relatively high rate (12.2–56%) of alcohol misuse among those that drink. Alcohol was associated with risky behaviour in the two studies that reported on this measure. Conclusion Results suggest a low prevalence of drinking compared to non-Muslim Majority Countries (non-MMCs), and a relatively high prevalence of risk amongst drinkers. More research is needed using study methods and validated screening or diagnostic tools tailored for the local Iraqi context.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/154988