Social and cultural determinants of health; understanding the persisting Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in the rural populations in central Kenya

Danny Mungai; Ronnie Midigo; Danny Mungai; Ronnie Midigo

doi:10.3934/publichealth.2019.4.600

AIMS Public Health

2019, Volume 6, Issue 4: 600-611. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2019.4.600

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Research article

Social and cultural determinants of health; understanding the persisting Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in the rural populations in central Kenya

Danny Mungai ¹,
Ronnie Midigo ^{2
,
,}

1.
Great Lakes University of Kisumu, Kenya
2.
University of Nairobi, Kenya

Received: 26 September 2019 Accepted: 04 December 2019 Published: 23 December 2019

Excessive alcohol use is a significant public health problem globally. Alcohol use typically begins in adolescence or early adult life, and effective prevention strategies focused on this age group are needed to avoid development of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). AUD is a worldwide problem resulting in millions of deaths, including hundreds of thousands of young lives lost. It is not only a causal factor in many diseases, but also a precursor to injury and violence. Furthermore, its’ negative impacts can spread throughout a community or a country, and beyond, by influencing levels and patterns of alcohol consumption across borders [1]. This study sought to ascertain the influence of socio-cultural factors in AUD among adults. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional study design. Stratified random sampling techniques were used to sample alcohol users across the county. Both descriptive (frequencies and percentages) and inferential (chi-square test) statistics were employed in data analysis. Content analysis was used to identify emerging themes in the interviews conducted. The study established that 65% of alcohol users in Muranga County have symptoms of AUD. Socio-cultural factors were found to influence AUD. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the Ministry of health and NACADA should organize sensitizations and awareness drives on alcohol abuse on the worrying trends of AUD together with their associated morbidities. The study also recommended deliberate efforts towards implementation of sound policies aimed at curbing the growth of the AUD.
- alcohol use disorder,
- socio-cultural,
- non-communicable disease
Citation: Danny Mungai, Ronnie Midigo. Social and cultural determinants of health; understanding the persisting Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in the rural populations in central Kenya[J]. AIMS Public Health, 2019, 6(4): 600-611. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2019.4.600

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Abstract

Excessive alcohol use is a significant public health problem globally. Alcohol use typically begins in adolescence or early adult life, and effective prevention strategies focused on this age group are needed to avoid development of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). AUD is a worldwide problem resulting in millions of deaths, including hundreds of thousands of young lives lost. It is not only a causal factor in many diseases, but also a precursor to injury and violence. Furthermore, its’ negative impacts can spread throughout a community or a country, and beyond, by influencing levels and patterns of alcohol consumption across borders [1]. This study sought to ascertain the influence of socio-cultural factors in AUD among adults. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional study design. Stratified random sampling techniques were used to sample alcohol users across the county. Both descriptive (frequencies and percentages) and inferential (chi-square test) statistics were employed in data analysis. Content analysis was used to identify emerging themes in the interviews conducted. The study established that 65% of alcohol users in Muranga County have symptoms of AUD. Socio-cultural factors were found to influence AUD. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the Ministry of health and NACADA should organize sensitizations and awareness drives on alcohol abuse on the worrying trends of AUD together with their associated morbidities. The study also recommended deliberate efforts towards implementation of sound policies aimed at curbing the growth of the AUD.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank our colleagues at the Department of Public Health at Great Lakes University of Kisumu for their support during this project. The researchers performed this study as a dissertation for a master's degree at the Great Lakes University of Kisumu and would thus acknowledge academic supervisors: Dr. Isaac Okeyo and Dr. Boaz Otieno. We further acknowledge the support given to us by our colleagues at the Department of Public Health; Mohamed Sheikh Omar, Benson Maina Njoroge, Danny Kariuki Mungai and Lydia Pendo Mutsumi.

Conflict of interest

Any recommendations put forth in this paper are the views of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Ministry of Health in Kenya nor the National Authority for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse.

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