Alcoholism And Its Effects On Family Development In Uganda A Case Study Of Nankulabye Suburb, Kampala

This study presents the findings on the effect of alcoholism in family development. The methodology was of a qualitative study which was comprised 30 focus groups exploring the knowledge, attitudes and practices of adolescents (15-17), young people (18-24 years of age) and adults (25-35) towards alcohol in NanKulabwe in Kampala. The study was aimed at finding out the knowledge, attitudes and practices of participants in relation to alcohol use and abuse; identifying drivers of alcohol use and abuse; explore the linkages between gender norms and alcohol use; finding out the linkages between alcohol abuse and risky sexual behaviour and establish; assessing the roles of existing social support structures and institutions that influence behaviour in relation to alcohol abuse and exploring perceptions about norms surrounding alcohol consumption. Study participants were aware that alcohol could either be drank in moderation or excessively to constitute abuse. Moderate use of alcohol was associated with the ability to control one’s self after drinking, to carry on one’s work and domestic responsibilities and to know when to stop drinking. The control over their use of alcohol and who display inappropriate behaviour are considered to be abusers of alcohol. Generally, participants considered drinking behaviour that has a profound negative impact on the individual and the surrounding environment including friends and family to be abuse. Alcohol abuse was generally associated with the failure to control one’s behaviour after drinking alcohol. Study participants demonstrated some awareness of the short term and long-term problems associated with excessive alcohol use, but did not attribute negative consequences to moderate alcohol use. They were fully aware that excessive alcohol use could have a detrimental impact on an individual’s health and quality of life.