Private troubles to public issue: empowering communities to reduce alcohol-related harm in Sabah, Malaysia.
Alcohol is the number three contributor to the burden of disease worldwide so must remain a priority health promotion issue internationally. Malaysia is a Muslim country and alcohol-related harm was not seen as a priority until recently, because it only affects a minority of the population. Sabah has more than 30 different ethnic groups, and alcohol has a traditional role in the cultural practices of many of these groups. In 2009, the Intervention Group for Alcohol Misuse (IGAM) was formed, under the umbrella of Mercy Malaysia by a group of healthcare workers, academics, members of the Clergy and people who were previously alcohol-dependent concerned about the harmful effects of excessive alcohol consumption. IGAM in collaboration with other bodies have organized public seminars, visited villages and schools, encouraged the formation of a support group and trained healthcare professionals in health promotion intervention. The focus later changed to empowering communities to find solutions to alcohol-related harm in their community in a way which is sensitive to their culture. A standard tool-kit was developed using WHO materials as a guide. Village committees were formed and adapted the toolkit according to their needs. This strategy has been shown to be effective, in that 90% of the 20 committees formed are actively and successfully involved in health promotion to reduce alcohol-related harm in their communities.
Reproductive Health, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah 88400, Malaysia.
Helen Benedict
HB
Lasimbang
Community Based Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Wendy
W
Shoesmith
Manggatal Health Clinic, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Mohd Nazri Bin
MN
Mohd Daud
Sabah Health Department, NCD Unit Public Health Division, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Nirmal
N
Kaur
HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Margaret Chin Pau
MC
Jin
KPJ Sabah Specialist Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Jaswant
J
Singh
Sabah Theological Seminary, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Wilfred
W
John
MERCY Malaysia Sabah Chapter, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Edna
E
Salumbi
Sabah Health Department, NCD Unit Public Health Division, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Lidwina
L
Amir
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000517:prevention & control; D019058:Community Networks; D003469:Culture; D005006:Ethnicity; D040261:Harm Reduction; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia