Factors contributing to the rising consumption of alcohol in Sheema district: a case study of Sheema central division

Abstract

Alcohol consumption is still rising even though it is associated with many negative consequences. This qualitative research used a case-study research design to explore about the factors that are contributing to the rising consumption of alcohol in Sheema Central Division. It furthermore explored on the effects of alcohol, perception of people towards alcohol and whether there were any existing services or interventions for addressing alcohol-related problems. The study employed in-depth face-to-face individual interviews for primary respondents (those who consume alcohol and were the main target of the study) and key informants interviews as the methods of data collection. The views of the study participants that is primary respondents and key informants were analyzed using thematic analysis where the views of the participants on the topics of the study were arranged and categorized under various themes and sub-themes for easy analysis and understanding. After analyzing the results, the study found cheap prices of alcoholic beverages, easy access, unemployment, relaxed law enforcement, peer influence and advertisements to be some of the factors fueling the rise of alcohol consumption in the area. On the effects of alcohol consumption, the study found poverty, school dropout, domestic violence, addiction or alcoholism just to mention a few, to be some of the negative consequences of alcohol consumption on individuals, families and the community at large. The study furthermore found cultural and social norms to be somehow receptive to alcohol consumption as they do not regard men taking alcohol as a bad thing. Due to lack of services for addressing alcohol relatedproblems in the area, the study recommended sensitization of the people about the dangers of alcohol as a preventive measure and establishment of counselling and alcohol treatment centres as a rehabilitative measure for alcohol addicts. Alcohol consumption should therefore be curbed down using various approaches that target individuals, the family, community and the society at large using micro, mezzo and macro approaches.