Factors Associated with Non Adherence to Regulations on Alcohol Sale in Thika Municipality, Kiambu County

Abstract

Excessive alcohol use leads to alcohol abuse which has serious health and social effects making its prevention and control a public health priority. The former Central province is the second highest consumer of legal alcohol at 9.2%. The mushrooming of alcohol outlets in Thika Municipality is posing a health risk to the public. About 17.0% of urban dwellers are current users of various types of alcoholic drinks compared to 11.8% of rural dwellers. The main objective of the study was to determine factors associated with non-adherence of existing alcohol regulations and policies on alcohol sale in Thika Municipality Kiambu County. The study design was a mixed method approach where convergent parallel mixed method approach was applied in which both quantitative and qualitative data were collected concurrently. The main method of data collection included questionnaire and key informant interviews. Epi-info version 3.5 was used to determine the proportions of alcohol outlets operators adhering to alcohol regulations while the qualitative methods were employed to explore informant’s experiences and adherence of the alcohol regulations when operating alcohol outlets.89 alcohol outlets operators participated in the study. Inferential analysis was conducted while data from key informant interviews was analyzed thematically. Out of the 89 outlet operators enrolled in the study. Association between marital status and non adherence of the Act was significant (p=0.003). 5.6% were aware of when the Alcohol Act was implemented and 70.8% were not aware on when the Alcohol Control Act came into existence. 62.9% of the operators found not to adhere to the Alcohol Control Act of 2010. 57.3% were not aware of measures to control illicit brew. From the key informant interviews the respondents interviewed confirmed that operators were not aware of the Act and it was difficult to implement thus subjecting the consumers into alcohol abuse. They also confirmed that with lack of employment, many women engaged in alcohol operations which also contributed to the breakdown of their families given the mode of operations. Many cases of deaths, accidents and uncontrollable health issues were highlighted also. This study concludes that the likelihood of alcohol brewing as a source of income is rampant in the region and there is a possibility of complete future dependence if the problem is not addressed. The study recommends increase Alcohol Control Act awareness among alcohol outlets operators, review of the Alcohol Control Act of 2010 to ensure tough measures and penalties are adapted to anyone who fails to adhere to the Act, formation of a special enforcement unit.