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BMC Psychiatry

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Open Access 01-12-2020 | Research article

Social acceptance of alcohol use in Uganda

Authors: Joshua Ssebunnya, Caroline Kituyi, Justine Nabanoba, Juliet Nakku, Arvin Bhana, Fred Kigozi

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

Alcohol use is part of many cultural, religious and social practices, and provides perceived pleasure to many users. In many societies, alcoholic beverages are a routine part of the social landscape for many in the population. Relatively low rates were reported for Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD) in a community-based survey and facility detection survey conducted in the study site contrary to findings in earlier formative studies where alcohol use was reported to be a major health problem. The aim of this study was to understand the reasons for under-reporting and the low detection rate for AUDs, exploring societal perceptions of alcohol use in the study district.

Methods

The study was conducted in Kamuli District (implementation site for the PRIME project). Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with purposively selected participants that included local and religious leaders, lay people, health workers as well as heavy alcohol drinkers and their spouses. Interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The analysis followed four thematic areas, which include the extent and acceptability of alcohol use, patterns of alcohol use, perceived health problems associated with alcohol use and help-seeking behavior for persons with alcohol related problems.

Results

The findings indicate that alcohol consumption in the study site was common and widely acceptable across all categories of people and only frowned upon if the person becomes a nuisance to others. These findings suggest that the health problems associated with alcohol use are overlooked except when they are life-threatening. Help-seeking for such problems was therefore reported to be relatively rare.

Conclusion

Alcohol was readily available in the community and its consumption widely acceptable, with less social sanctions despite the legal restrictions to the minors. The social acceptance results in low recognition of alcohol use related health problems, consequently resulting in poor help-seeking behavior.

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Title: Social acceptance of alcohol use in Uganda
Authors: Joshua Ssebunnya
Caroline Kituyi
Justine Nabanoba
Juliet Nakku
Arvin Bhana
Fred Kigozi
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-2471-2

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Social acceptance of alcohol use in Uganda

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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