Global Journal of Health Science; Vol. 11, No. 12; 2019 ISSN 1916-9736 E-ISSN 1916-9744 Published by Canadian Center of Science and Education 55 Non-Governmental Organisations Personnel, Social Workers and Religious Leaders’ Perspectives on the Risk Factors of Alcohol Abuse Amongst the Youth: The Case of the Northern Region of the Republic of Namibia Rapholo Selelo Frank 1 , Makhubele Jabulani Calvin 1 , Ananias Janetta Agnes 2 , Svinurai Anesu 1 , Hasheela Miriam Winnie 2 , Hamuse Tiberia Ndanyakuwa Ilonga 2 , Freeman Rachel Johanna 2 , Mafa Prudence 1 , Matlakala Frans Koketso 1 & Chilwalo Beatrice Namoonga 2 1 Department of Social Work, University of Limpopo, Sovenga, South Africa 2 Department of Social Work, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia Correspondence: Prof. J.C. Makhubele, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga 0727, South Africa, E-mail: Jabulani.Makhubele@ul.ac.za Received: July 29, 2019 Accepted: October 7, 2019 Online Published: October 15, 2019 doi:10.5539/gjhs.v11n12p55 URL: https://doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v11n12p55 Abstract This qualitative study aimed to explore and describe the perceptions of Non-Governmental Organisations personnel, social workers and religious leaders on the risk factors of alcohol abuse amongst youth in the Northern region of the Republic of Namibia. In order to pursue this aim, a multiple case study design was used. Substance abuse is a predominant social and health problem which calls the attention of different partners from different disciplines across the globe to address it. Substance abuse, in particular, alcohol abuse is a global concern particularly amongst youth. Youth indulge in alcohol abuse due to numerous risk factors. Semi-structured interviews were used with Non-Governmental Organisations personnel, religious leaders and social workers who were purposively selected. Findings revealed familial, the environmental and community based and socio-economic factors as predisposing youth at Oshikango to indulge in alcohol abuse. It is therefore concluded that there are lot of opportunities at the Northern region of Namibia which predispose youth to engage in alcohol abuse. Thus, stakeholders need to develop integrated strategies to fight the abuse of alcohol amongst youth in the Northern region of Namibia. Keywords: alcohol abuse, Namibia, risk factor, youth 1. Introduction Alcohol consumption is a health and social problem causing many undesirable outcomes globally, including the Republic of Namibia. According to World Health Organisation [WHO] (2011), the consumption of alcohol is a serious health and social burden amongst youth. Young people are amongst the most abusers of alcohol across the world (Guillen, Roth, Alfaro, & Fernandez, 2015; Salanta, Tofana, Pop, Pop, & Coldea, 2018). Many countries have established policies and programmes to reduce the level of alcohol drinking amongst youth. However, youth still continue to indulge in alcohol abuse due to various risk factors. The WHO (2011) postulates that alcohol is a causal factor in 60 types of diseases and injuries and a component cause in 200 others and that almost 4% of all deaths globally are attributed to alcohol, greater than deaths caused by HIV/AIDS, violence or tuberculosis. Furthermore, there are a range of problems as a results of alcohol consumption such as violence, child neglect and abuse, and absenteeism in the workplace which can cause devastating impacts on the individuals and their families which may ultimately end up affecting the entire community and the world at large (Constantinescu & Constantinescu, 2012; Salanta et al., 2018). The consumption of alcohol in the Southern Africa in predominantly high and the republic of Namibia has been reported as having a large reported cases of alcohol abuse (Ananias et al., 2019). Given that youth amongst others are the most alcohol consumption group, this paper aimed to explore the risk factors of alcohol abuse from the perspectives of NGOs personnel, social workers and religious leaders in the northern region of the Republic of Namibia.