Back to Index

Alcohol abuse - Another key driver of HIV?
Fungai Machirori, Southern Africa AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS)
August 02, 2007

http://www.mediaresourcedesk.org/news/alcohol%20abuse.html

Alcohol, in many resource-limited settings provides affordable entertainment, and because of its legal status, is the recreational drug of choice for many Africans. Not only does it provide an affordable source of entertainment, but alcohol plays a socially cohesive role as it often allows for people to meet and relieve the normal stresses of day-to-day life. Most prefer to consume it in public settings (beer halls and clubs), which allow for people to meet and socialise.

Yet the role that substance abuse plays in fuelling the spread of the epidemic is still incompletely appreciated. Injecting drug users, one of the 'at risk' and neglected populations identified by UNAIDS, have often been disregarded in sub-Saharan Africa, because many believe that this practice is not common enough in the region to warrant large-scale HIV campaigns. And while such beliefs might stir up contention, there is no denying the culture of alcohol use and abuse in Africa - a practice that is putting many at risk of HIV contraction.

Last year in an analysis of the HIV epidemic, 25 years after its discovery, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported, "Prevention messages need to focus on the role of alcohol and drug abuse in HIV risk. Substance abuse (via injection drugs, alcohol, or methamphetamines) can facilitate risky behaviours among persons who might otherwise protect themselves and others from HIV." The Center suggests the prevention of substance abuse and increasing access to substance abuse treatment as examples of effective interventions for reducing HIV transmission.

This may be more challenging than previously thought, as alcohol use is entrenched in social and cultural behaviours. A recent news report from Kenya highlighted the problem with getting people to accept their alcoholism as a problem. Kenyan Alcoholics Anonymous representatives claimed that rather than see a problem in their alcohol abuse, many males were using alcohol to fuel their sexual confidence. This, the report claimed, was a risky behaviour that heightened their chances of neglecting to use condoms during consequent sexual encounters.

The problem with implementing anti-alcohol programmes and campaigns is that alcohol use and abuse is so widespread and acceptable that most people do not see it a problem. In fact for many, alcohol provides not only the previously mentioned source of affordable entertainment, but also solace for their depressed mental, spiritual or financial states.

Alcohol abuse, or 'binge drinking' on a long-term basis has the potential to cause severe damage to the person's physical, psychological and social well-being. The long-term effects of regular excessive drinking - cancers, hypertension, seclusion and breakdown in relationships - are widely documented. Yet still these seem to not have acted as strong enough deterrents to alcohol abuse, and its supposed social and sexual benefits.

In 2000, a study explored alcohol abuse and high-risk sexual behaviour among adolescents and young adults (15-21 years old) in Harare, Zimbabwe. Findings revealed a cycle of HIV transmission that involved older men, younger women, and ultimately, the steady partners of both. The study included two types of drinking environments frequented by youth - nightclubs and bottle stores in both Harare's high and low density neighbourhoods. This is because, as the study noted, many young girls who frequent these areas are looking for older men to whom they can sell sex. At the same time, many of the men who visit these nightclubs are looking fro a place to unwind, as well as have access to sex. A substantial proportion of young men included in the study also reported paying for sex. These young men also expressed apprehension about bringing their steady partners to such venues because as gender norms dictate, decent or 'marriageable' women and girls do not associate with alcohol and ni ghtclubs - areas thought to promote sexual depravity. The study also highlighted the role that participants claimed that alcohol played in sexual disinhibition and in fuelling virility.

The African Network for Strategic Communication in Health and Development (AfriComNet) will be holding a workshop entitled 'HIV and Alcohol, Gender Norms and Gender-Based Violence: A Strategic Communication Perspective', in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 5-9 August 2007. The workshop will bring together 60-80 communication practitioners from across the continent and will serve to familiarise them with the underlying social factors that influence HIV prevention, care and treatment practices. Presentations will describe examples of communication interventions and programmes that have had a positive impact on changing sexual practices and behaviour. Through discussion and knowledge-sharing, the organisation hopes to be instrumental in enabling participants to integrate issues around alcohol abuse, gender norms and gender-based violence into HIV and AIDS community outreach, advocacy, media, and client education and counselling programmes.

The challenge, especially among HIV advocates and programmers, is how to find measures to show alcohol abuse as a serious problem, and therefore encourage safe and responsible drinking which does not expose drinkers to the above-mentioned health hazards, particularly the risk of HIV transmission. It is therefore hoped that this practicum will provide practical and meaningful solutions to this often-underestimated yet fertile ground for new HIV infections.

For more information on the practicum, please contact AfriComNet at infodesk@africomnet.org, or visit their website at www.africomnet.org

Visit the SAfAIDS fact sheet

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP