ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION PATTERN AMONG WOMEN IN A RURAL YORUBA COMMUNITY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Indigenous Nigerian societies discourage alcohol consumption among women, yet international trends show alcohol consumption increasing in populations of developing countries, especially among women. This research implemented in 1994, examined the pattern of alcohol consumption among women in the rural town of Igbo-Ora, located in the southwestern state of Oyo in Nigeria. A majority of the 300 respondents (64%) were found to have tasted alcoholic beverages, and over half of these reported current alcohol use. Current drinkers reported consuming an average of 1.3 bottles (60 cl per bottle) of alcoholic beverage in the week preceding the survey. Current drinking status was associated with religion. Only 9% of the respondents with indigenous beliefs reported using alcohol, compared to 40% of Christian and 30% of Moslem respondents. Those who never drank were, on average, 5 years older than current or previous drinkers. Single, separated, or divorced women were more likely to drink than married or widowed women. Special uses of alcohol for women were identified, including easing the pains of childbirth. Furthermore, the respondents identified problems associated with drinking alcohol that women confronted: accidents, fighting, illnesses, mental problems, children learning to drink, child neglect, rape, and tarnishing of one's image. With less than one-third of women reporting that they are current drinkers, and among those weekly consumption being low, one could say that there is little evidence of alcohol misuse among women in Igbo-Ora. At the same time, the fact that current drinkers are younger implies that consumption rates may increase in the future. This information about women's beliefs, practices, and preferences will be of value in designing health education programs to prevent future alcohol-associated problems. [Translations are provided in the International Abstracts Section of this issue.]

• Alcohol use
• Women
• Rural
• Developing country

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Linda S. Mamman

Linda S. Mamman, M.P.H., is a tutor in the School of Nursing in Bauchi, Bauchi State Nigeria. She undertook research on women and alcohol consumption in rural Nigeria as a basis for her M.P.H. dissertation.

William R. Brieger

William R. Brieger, C.H.E.S., Dr.P.H., is a Reader (Associate Professor) in Health Education at the African Regional Health Education Centre, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, where he has worked since 1976. He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Department of International Health, the Johns Hopkins University. His research has concentrated primarily on rural health issues such as planning and management of primary health care services, tropical disease control, and health needs of children and youth. Dr. Brieger is currently an evaluation consultant for a nine-site adolescent reproductive health programme in Nigeria and Ghana, and is coordinating two research projects on the social and economic affects of onchocerciasis in southwestern Nigeria.

Frederick O. Oshiname

Frederick O. Oshiname, M.P.H., is a Lecturer in Health Education at the African Regional Health Education Centre, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, where he has worked since 1992. Prior to that he worked as a counsellor with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Lagos, Nigeria. His research interests include the maintenance of community-based essential drug supplies in support of primary health care, and control of tropical diseases.