Prevalence and Correlates of Gambling Disorder Among Secondary School Students in Mbarara Municipality, Uganda.

Abstract

Background Over the recent years, gambling has evolved and grown substantially with new activities and facilities being introduced, making gambling products and opportunities more available in our environment than ever. While the growth of gambling industry is considered to have a beneficial impact on the economy, it is increasingly becoming a social and public health issue especially among young people leading to gambling disorder, a gambling behavior that damages personal, family, vocational and academic pursuits. Objectives The study determined the prevalence and correlates of gambling disorder among secondary school students in Mbarara Municipality. It also described the gambling activities practiced by students with gambling disorder. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted among secondary school students in Mbarara Municipality in 2019. A total of 921 students, from 12 schools, was recruited using random cluster sampling. Logistic regression models were fitted for factors associated with gambling disorder using STATA 12. Results A total of 921 participants were enrolled in the study, 362 (40%) reported to have ever gambled and 160 (17.7%) were classified as having gambling disorder. The most gambling activity practiced by the students was sports betting. Bivariate analysis shows that age, gender, peer involvement, class of student, type of school, advertisement, phone ownership, substance use, risky sexual behavior and psychological distress were significant when those that had ever gambled but has no gambling disorder was compared to those with gambling disorder. However, male students and those using substances were significant on multivariate analysis. Conclusion This study found a high prevalence of gambling disorder among students. Therefore, there is need to institute public health measures towards raising awareness, prevention and treatment of gambling disorder