Awareness and Perception as Factors in the Consumption of Homemade Alcoholic Beverage among Irele Community Members, Ondo State, Nigeria

Aim: We assessed the perception and pattern of consumption of homemade alcoholic beverages among community members in Irele Local Government Area (LGA), Ondo State, Nigeria following an outbreak of acute methanol poisoning in the LGA in April, 2015.

Study Design: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in two communities affected by an incident of acute methanol poisoning in Irele LGA in May, 2015.

Methodology: A multistage sampling technique was employed to select 197 community members who were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were obtained on the socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, perception and consumption of homemade alcohol. The perception of respondents was determined by assigning a point each to 13-item statements indicating right views about alcohol consumption. Respondents with scores above 7 points were considered as those with favorable perception.

Results: Two hundred participants were approached, out of whom 197 responded. In general, 45.7% had favorable perception and 66.0% reported to be currently taking homemade alcoholic beverages. Although, 70.1% of the respondents were aware of the long-term health effects of consumption of the beverages, only few among those that were aware knew major health effects such as liver cirrhosis (11.5%) and cancer (0.7%). Significantly, having secondary education and above (OR=2.9, 95% CI=1.2-6.9), not taking of homemade alcoholic beverages (OR=3.3, 95% CI=1.8- 6.2) and being aware of the health effects of their consumption (OR=2.9, 95% CI=1.5-5.8) were predictors of favorable perception.

Conclusion: The level of consumption of the homemade alcoholic beverages was high among the community members, although, few had good knowledge and favorable perceptions about their intake. Education interventions on the health consequences of taking the locally made alcohol should target those with low level of education and currently taking the substances.