Abstract:
The harmful use of alcohol is a component cause of more than 200
disease and injury conditions in individuals, most notably alcohol
dependence, liver cirrhosis and injuries in the world. The present study
aimed to determine the factors which contribute to the dependence on
illicit alcohol among the residents of Shitochi sub-location in Kenya. It
further intended to establish the association between socio-economic,
cultural and psychological factors on dependence of illicit alcohol
consumption in the region. A total of 385 participants between the ages
of 15-50 were sampled through a stratified random sampling technique
and data was collected through questionnaires. Multinomial logistic
regression was used as the statistical model in this study. Of all 385
participants, 341(89%) were men and majority were above 40 years of
age.61 (17%) participants admitted that they had increased their alcohol
intake in the past year and 146 (43%) stated that their frequency of
utilization had decreased.219 (57%) of the participants had no intention
of quitting to drink illicit brew. There was a strong association (P=
0.011) between affordability, availability and accessibility and
dependence of illicit alcohol in the region. Occupation also had a strong
association (P= 0.027) with the dependence of illicit alcohol in the
region. Most socio-economic factors were clearly linked to the
dependence on illicit brew in the region. It is therefore important for the
government to educate the people on the negative impacts of illicit
alcohol to their health and general well-being and emphasize that
abstinence is the best way to control dependency of illicit brew.
