Joseph Bazil Meela^{1, 2,}, Alferd Owino Odongo², Elvis Bazil Meela³, Sperancia Coelestine Lushasi⁴, Ester Mwenitumba⁵, Samuel Mukiha Karenga⁶

Alcohol use disorder poses serious dangers to public safety. It causes approximately three million deaths and 132 million Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), with nearly three-quarters of the global burden affecting men. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) continues to exist and is associated with a range of negative consequences. Adverse alcohol use disorders are becoming more prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, including Tanzania. Drivers of public service vehicles experience recurrent episodes of alcohol use disorder. However, little is known about its burden, socio-demographic and social determinant in Tanzania, which limits the development and implementation of evidence-based interventions. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence, socio-demographic and social determinants of alcohol use disorder among public service vehicle drivers in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania in 2023. Analytical cross-sectional survey was carried out in May 2023 among public service drivers in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Stratified proportional random sampling was used alongside with mixed approaches to gather the data. Quantitative data were processed and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariable log-binomial model, using STATA version 15 software. Qualitative data on determinants of AUD among public services vehicles drivers were analyzed thematically through an iterative process using NVivo software. A total of 292 males who were recruited in the study were analyzed. The majority of respondents, (83.0%) acknowledged alcohol consumption. The study showed that AUD had a prevalence of 63% among drivers of public service vehicles (PSV). After controlling for confounding variables, alcohol use disorders had a positive association with stress (PR=1.56; 95% CI, 1.05 - 2.32; p<0.027), sources of alcoholic beverages used (PR=3.84; 95%CI, 1.37 - 10.72; p<.01), low prices of alcoholic beverages (PR= 2.06; 95%CI, 1.09 - 3.88; p<.025), and employment status (PR=0.52; 95%CI, 0.27 - 0.94; p=0.041). This study revealed a high burden of AUD among PSV drivers and its determinants in Tanzania. This suggests a major public health risk. There is an urgent need to enhance the detection of AUD and to develop additional preventive and protective strategies. These interventions are essential to promote the health and wellbeing of public service vehicle drivers.

Alcohol use disorder, Tanzania, Public services vehicle, Prevalence, Determinants, Drivers