Integrating Alcohol Prevention Strategies and Policies By NGOs:Findings from Survey of 55 NGOs in Eastern Africa

Abstract

Integrating Alcohol Prevention Strategies and Policies by NGOs:Findings from Survey of 55 NGOs in East Africa.

Introduction: Alcohol misuse in Eastern Africa is highly prevalent but remains a largely unaddressed public health burden. Because of fragmented infrastructure and limited alcohol policies, much of the prevention efforts in this region is operated by Non Government Organizations (NGOs). However, few studies if any, examine the strategies that NGOs use to address alcohol problems and how they integrate prevention programs and policies in their communities. We conducted a survey to determine the approaches used by NGOs and also to identify their needs.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey (funded by NIH) was conducted with 55 NGO leaders in September and October of 2014 to assess their organizational structure, their operational and strategic priorities, target population, and perceptions of best practices and alcohol-related concerns in their local communities. NGOs who participated in various national and regional alcohol policy alliances as well as broader prevention coalitions were invited (N=150) via email to take an online survey through the Qualtrics platform. The survey was completed by 55 NGO leaders (36.6% response rate). Participants received a $10 gift card in form of airtime minutes for their mobile phones. Chi-square analyses are presented to examine associations between specific NGO characteristics and alcohol prevention strategies used.

Results: NGO leaders from Uganda (N=28), Kenya (N=10), Tanzania (N=7), Rwanda (N=1), Burundi (N=1) and 2 other unnamed countries participated in the survey. In terms of early alcohol use and heavy drinking, 95% of NGOs reported that issue as a specific problem in their communities; 91% report that there are laws in their country that regulate either production or drinking of alcohol and 90% report that there are no strong enforcement of the minimum legal drinking age. When given a choice of potential evidence-based strategies for addressing alcohol misuse, most NGOs (83%) selected the importance of outlining the effect of alcohol and risk for HIV, violence and injuries. Only 12 participants indicate that there are national alcohol prevention plan in their countries and 3 were consulted in its development.

Conclusions: NGOs in Eastern Africa are heavily engaged in alcohol prevention and policy development. However, fragmented support and infrastructure serve as key barriers for progress and proactive implementation of more strict alcohol policies as well as enforcement of existing laws. Strategies for how to provide additional support to NGOs to implement evidence-based alcohol prevention strategies and to push for stricter policies are urgently needed in Eastern Africa.