Demographic characteristics of respondents
A total of 310 self-reported alcohol drinkers participated in the study. Majority of alcohol drinkers were male (71.34%) as shown in Table 1 below. Though in Masindi there was a relatively significant proportion of female drinkers (35.94%). A considerable proportion (18.03%) of drinkers were young (below 25 years) with only (0.93%) of respondents being underage.
Table 1
Demographic characteristics of respondents
| Masindi | Jinja | Total |
Demographics |
Gender Males Females | 64.05%(98) 35.95%(55) | 78.57%(121) 21.43%(33) | 71.34%(219) 28.66%(88) |
Age group 15–24 years 25–34 years 35 years and above | 24.34%(37) 21.05%(32) 54.61%(83) | 11.76%(18) 35.95%(55) 52.29%(80) | 18.03%(55) 28.52%(87) 53.44%(163) |
Alcohol consumption patterns
The commonly consumed type of alcohol was spirits (40.78%) as shown in Table 2 below. Other types of alcohol mainly consisted of industrial fermented drinks such as “kombucha” with varying alcohol content. Consumption score based on responses of questions 1-3 of the AUDIT questionnaire indicated considerable proportion of drinkers having risky alcohol consumption patterns (48.71%). Risky alcohol consumption patterns were higher (58.97%) in Jinja compared to Masindi (38.31%). This difference was statistically significant (χ2=13.24 and p = 0.000 which is less than 0.05. Particularly, heavy episodic drinking (consumption of 6 or more drinks in the last 30 days), was reported by 17.74% of the drinkers. Male drinkers reported higher proportion of risky alcohol consumption (81.88% compared to female drinkers (18.12%). This difference was statistically significant (χ2 =15.74and p value of 0.000 which is less than 0.05).Risky alcohol consumption was mostly reported among those aged 35 years and above (50.34%) in comparison with those aged 25 to 34 year olds (32.65%) and 15 to 17 year olds (17.01%).However, these differences were not statistically significant (2.3723 and p value of 0.305 which is greater than 0.05.
Table 2: Alcohol consumption patterns
|
Masindi
|
Jinja
|
Total
|
Type of alcohol commonly consumed
Local brew
Beer
Wine
Spirits
Others
|
20.13%(31)
17.53%(27)
3.90%(6)
39.61%(61)
18.83%(29)
|
29.03%(45)
22.58%(35)
5.16%(8)
41.94%(65)
1.29%(2)
|
24.60%(76)
20.06%(62)
4.53%(14)
40.78%(126)
10.03%(31)
|
Heavy episodic drinking
Yes
No
|
34.42%(53)
65.58%(101)
|
41.03%(64)
58.97%(92)
|
37.74%(117)
62.26%(193)
|
Risky Consumption levels
Yes
No
|
38.31%(59)
61.69%(95)
|
58.97%(92)
41.03%(64)
|
48.71%(151)
51.29%(159)
|
Alcohol dependence and alcohol related problems
Only 31.72% of respondents were alcohol dependent as shown in Table 3 below. There were more males (78.13%) with alcohol dependence compared to females (21.88%).However, this difference was not statistically significant (χ2 = 3.2348 of and p value of 0.072 which is greater than 0.05). Respondents with alcohol dependence were mainly in older age groups with 43.75% aged 24 to 35 years, 42.71% aged 35 years and above in comparison to the young age group 15 to 24 years (13.54%).These differences were statistically significant (χ2 =15.7791,p=0.000 which is less than 0.05).Majority of the respondents(85.81%) had experienced alcohol related problems based on their score of 3 questions including feeling guilty about their drinking, forgetting what happened the previous day due to their drinking, and hurting someone as a result of their drinking.
Table 3: Alcohol dependence and alcohol related problems
|
Masindi
|
Jinja
|
Total
|
Alcohol Dependence
Yes
No
|
25.97% (40)
74.03% (114)
|
37.42% (58)
62.58% (97)
|
31.72% (98)
68.28% (211)
|
Alcohol related problems
Yes
No
|
82.47% (127)
17.53% (27)
|
89.10% (139)
10.90% (17)
|
85.81% (266)
14.19% (44)
|
Trends in risky alcohol consumption patterns between 2018 and 2020
Overall, alcohol consumption levels remained fairly consistent, despite a slight reduction in 2019 as illustrated in Figure 1 below. However, at district level, risky alcohol consumption levels reduced in Masindi (from 56.92% to 38.31%) and increased in Jinja42.98% to 58.97%) between 2019 and 2020.
Perceptions about the coverage and effectiveness of alcohol control regulations in the project area.
In Masindi, respondents reported being aware of alcohol control regulations in their area. These regulations mainly comprised of restriction on hours alcohol was available for sale and limiting access of alcohol to minors in the area. Based on these regulations, legal operating hours of alcohol sale points ranged from 10:00am/12:00 noon to 10:00pm/12:00 midnight.
In some areas, these legal restrictions were reported to result into reduced alcohol consumption, increased productivity, improved social relationships including reduced violence.
“…..because alcohol sale points are not open in the morning, people now first go to work before drinking alcohol…they come back at 3:00pm and therefore end up drinking less…. With less drinking people are thinking of developmental issues like saving, building better houses and providing for their families…. in addition, they are now earning more as they spend more time working…Previously, there would be many fights but now these have greatly reduced…”Participant 4,Alimugonzaii village, Male Focus Group Discussion.
“… people used to start drinking early in the morning, by lunch time most were already drunk….fighting, using abusive language and throwing stones at each other every day…some cases were really bad and used to end up in hospital…now with less time to drink, we only have one or two cases in a month..” Participant 1, Kahara ii village, Female Focus Group Discussion.
“…. These regulations have helped married women like us….(smiles)….because bars close early our husbands come back early and sober so there are less fights….we can now have cordial discussions about our children and future plans for our family…”Participant 3,Kahara ii village, Female Focus Group Discussion
However some respondents indicated that these regulations had limited effectiveness because the communities were not willing to comply with them.
“…..in our area people have refused to comply with these regulations… they enter bars early and drink while the doors are closed before the stipulated time…. consequently there are no changes in alcohol consumption or its effects in our community...” Participant 2, Kijogoro village, Youth focus group discussion
On the other hand, respondents in Jinja reported limited awareness of any alcohol control regulations in the area.
“…in our area people do not know of any alcohol control regulations. Alcohol sale points operate 24 hours a day….children can easily access alcohol and other drugs…”Participant 7,Lukolo West village, Youth focus group discussion
“…there are no alcohol control regulations in our community…..alcohol is one of the highest selling commodities in our community… as a result every business has started incorporating alcohol to their merchandise. Now every shop, hair salon and grocery stall sells alcohol with no limitations...” Participant 2, Kalina zone, Female focus group discussion