A survey on perception of health effects on alcohol consumption on the youth of Senane

Abstract

The study focused on the perception of health effects on alcohol consumption on the youth of Senase.” A descriptive survey was used to collect in-depth information for the study. A total of fifty (50) youth were selected for the study. The respondents were obtained using the convenient sampling method. The data for the study was collected by administering a questionnaire to the participants. With regards to the knowledge on alcoholism, most of the respondents (90%) indicated that they heard about alcoholism and 10% of the respondents indicated they do not have much knowledge about alcoholism. Majority of the respondents (40%) said they their friends told them, 10% of the respondents indicated they know from the media and 20% of the respondent also indicated they were sent by some people and 30% also indicated they got to know it themselves. On the reasons for increase drinking and abuse of alcohol, it was found that, most respondents (38.0%) consume alcohol in order to forget problems or gain confidenceThe study recommended that there is the need for Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to ban or regulate advertisement of alcoholic drinks in the media especially in the Berekum municipality. A number of studies show that high taxation – and hence a high price for alcoholic beverages – has a decisive influence on amounts consumed. Where alcohol can only be obtained in a few places, its availability is limited and less is therefore abuse. Traditional Authorities and the Government or his representatives in the region should enact bi- laws to control the sale and use of alcoholic beverages by the youth and again there is the need for the district Assembles, churches, mosques to facilitate the formation of youth clubs to engage the youth in developmental or other income generating activities.The study concluded that, advertisement on alcohol as sense of well-being as portrayed by the media is associated with youth alcohol abuse. These alcoholic beverages have been portrayed to the public as being capable of curing all manner of diseases, hence luring even disinterested youth to join the bandwagon of excessive alcoholism and peer relations provide a context in which alcohol use is either supported or discouraged.