Alcohol consumption in the rural population of Misungwi subdistrict in Mwanza Region, Tanzania.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to investigate the frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption in four villages on the southern shores of Lake Victoria, Tanzania.


METHODS
Study participants were 148 men and 162 women selected by cluster sampling from the population (N = 9,243) of four villages in Misungwi subdistrict, Mwanza Region, Tanzania. Interviews on self-reported alcohol consumption were conducted at the participants' home in Kiswahili using a standardized questionnaire.


RESULTS
Fifty-five percent of the men and 33% of the women had consumed alcohol at least once during the year prior to the interview; 24% of the men and 6% of the women had consumed alcohol on six or more occasions during the past month. The quantity of alcohol consumed at the last sitting and in the month prior to the interview was twice as high among male compared to female respondents. The frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption per month increased with age for men but not for women. The large majority of respondents consumed locally produced alcoholic beverages.


CONCLUSIONS
Alcohol consumption in this area was low compared to estimates from other parts of Tanzania and national data. Drinking patterns suggested that traditional rules and regulations concerning alcohol were still adhered to.
Rijken
T
T
Bukumbi Hospital, Mwanza, Tanzania.
Velema
J P
JP
Dijkstra
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000600:supply & distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology