Wilber Karugahe

Title: Perceptions of problems resulting from alcohol harmful use in kigezi sub region: Community perspective or lenz

Abstract

Background: Uganda ranks first in alcohol consumption in Africa and Kigezi sub region reports high prevalence rates; and its a  public health concern. Previous research Verplaetse et al., 2021a has pointed out that female more than men are likely to report health conditions. Thus, the current study examined community perceptions on problems resulting from harmful use of alcohol.

Methods: The study recruited 339 participants, from 34 villages around L. Bunyonyi south western Uganda, aged 18 years and above and consented . Data was collected using structured questionnaire and analysed using Chi-square - cross tabulations.

Result: The results from 202(59.6%) female and 137(40.4%) male revealed that harmful alcohol use was perceived to be associated with problems raging from domestic violence, rape, defilement, fighting, sleeping on the road side-outside, lack of self-control, shame and loss of respect  and  nuisance. Furthermore, results revealed that some people drink a lot and fail to dig the next day, get addicted, experience poverty and some families breakup. Both physical and mental illness were reported by community members to be linked to harmful use of alcohol. Poverty and girls getting pregnant at a tender age were associated with harmful use of alcohol. Overall, 90 female compared to 68 male perceived domestic violence as a major vice associated ( P = .209>.05) with alcohol harmful use.

Conclusion:  The community perceptions on alcohol harmful use around L. Bunyonyi are gender neutral; implying that no significant differences between male and female perceptions on harmful use of alcohol. Thus, multifaceted interventions are recommended to address both harmful alcohol use and its consequential behaviours such as domestic violence, and addiction.