What is alcoholism?
Jul 13, 2008
ALCOHOLISM is one of the major health concerns in Uganda. According to the World Health Organisation, with a per capita consumption of 19.47 litres per adult (15 years and above), Ugandans hold the first position in the world of recorded per capita alcohol consumption.<br>
By Stephen Ssenkaaba
ALCOHOLISM is one of the major health concerns in Uganda. According to the World Health Organisation, with a per capita consumption of 19.47 litres per adult (15 years and above), Ugandans hold the first position in the world of recorded per capita alcohol consumption.
A study by Charles Lwanga-Ntale, a lead researcher, links excessive alcohol consumption to chronic poverty. The study quotes a Ministry of Finance Report.
A similar conclusion was arrived at by the 2005 Report on Chronic Poverty in Uganda, and the 2005/2006 Uganda Household Survey of the Uganda Bureau of Statistics.
“Evidence from the household survey reveals that, with a share of 29% of all enterprises, brewing topped the list of enterprises in which most households engaged. It was followed by retail shops and market vending whose shares stood at 14% and 10% respectively,†says Lwanga.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcoholism is “a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as job loss or getting into trouble with the law.â€
Alcohol abuse is a problem that can have major health and societal consequences.
Dr. Margaret Mungherera, a consultant psychiatrist at Mulago Referral Hospital says alcoholism leads to serious medical consequences.
“It has physical and psychological health problems.†Physically, she explains, alcoholism affects an individual’s vital internal organs.
“Alcohol is broken down in the liver and often excessive consumption of it affects the liver, the digestive system, the gut and the heart muscle. It also affects the brain leading to memory loss and dementia,†she says.
She says alcoholism is dangerous to women of child-bearing age, particularly expectant mothers. “Pregnant women may end up with mentally ill children and, in some cases, the baby might die,†she says.
Alcoholism also leads to psychological problems such as depression and can have serious social consequences.
She adds that even though there are no conclusive studies done to determine the extent of alcoholism in Uganda, the country is experiencing high alcoholism rates which is a potential medical time bomb.
ALCOHOLISM is one of the major health concerns in Uganda. According to the World Health Organisation, with a per capita consumption of 19.47 litres per adult (15 years and above), Ugandans hold the first position in the world of recorded per capita alcohol consumption.
A study by Charles Lwanga-Ntale, a lead researcher, links excessive alcohol consumption to chronic poverty. The study quotes a Ministry of Finance Report.
A similar conclusion was arrived at by the 2005 Report on Chronic Poverty in Uganda, and the 2005/2006 Uganda Household Survey of the Uganda Bureau of Statistics.
“Evidence from the household survey reveals that, with a share of 29% of all enterprises, brewing topped the list of enterprises in which most households engaged. It was followed by retail shops and market vending whose shares stood at 14% and 10% respectively,†says Lwanga.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcoholism is “a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as job loss or getting into trouble with the law.â€
Alcohol abuse is a problem that can have major health and societal consequences.
Dr. Margaret Mungherera, a consultant psychiatrist at Mulago Referral Hospital says alcoholism leads to serious medical consequences.
“It has physical and psychological health problems.†Physically, she explains, alcoholism affects an individual’s vital internal organs.
“Alcohol is broken down in the liver and often excessive consumption of it affects the liver, the digestive system, the gut and the heart muscle. It also affects the brain leading to memory loss and dementia,†she says.
She says alcoholism is dangerous to women of child-bearing age, particularly expectant mothers. “Pregnant women may end up with mentally ill children and, in some cases, the baby might die,†she says.
Alcoholism also leads to psychological problems such as depression and can have serious social consequences.
She adds that even though there are no conclusive studies done to determine the extent of alcoholism in Uganda, the country is experiencing high alcoholism rates which is a potential medical time bomb.