By JKNewsMedia Reporter
EASY ACCESS to alcohol and frequent consumption among minors and underaged children emerged as key concerns in a national survey conducted by the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DBAN) in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the study, sponsored by DIBAN and conducted by Research and Data Solutions Ltd (RDSL), Abuja, examined underage drinking and abuse of alcohol across the country.
The report stated that alcohol is one of the most widely used substances of abuse among youths and described it as a growing public health concern in Nigeria.
It noted that several studies indicate a rapid increase in alcohol availability, production, importation and consumption across all age groups in recent decades and identified availability and easy access as contributory factors to increasing consumption among minors.
The research also undertook a national survey of consumers and retailers of alcoholic beverages and wines to determine the extent of alcohol abuse among underaged persons.
Also, the fieldwork took place between June and August 2021.
According to the survey, a total of 1,788 respondents across six states representing the six geo-political zones participated in the quantitative survey after consenting to a multiple-choice questionnaire.
Data collectors and enumerators received training for the exercise.
The required sample size to generate statistical inferences was calculated at 1,712 using a Z score of 1.96 for a 95% confidence level at 80% statistical power.
The survey covered Gombe with 147 respondents, Kaduna 385, the Federal Capital Territory 127, Anambra 264, Lagos 539 and Rivers 326.
Respondents younger than 13 years were classified as minors, those aged 13 to 17 as underaged and those 18 years and above as adults.
Qualitative information was obtained from 161 persons.
Moreover, researchers conducted 14 focus group discussions among male and female minors and the underaged, with two sessions in each state and four in Lagos.
They also carried out 21 key informant interview sessions with retailers and shop owners, with three sessions in each state and six in Lagos.
In all, a total of 140 persons participated in the focus groups and 21 in the interviews.
For quantitative data collection, respondents were randomly sampled in households, retail points of alcoholic beverages, bars and restaurants, motor parks and schools within study local government areas.
Data collectors used the KoboCollect application after obtaining consent. Focus group participants and retailers for interviews were purposively selected.
Findings also showed that 54.3% of minors and the underaged obtained alcohol by themselves from various sources.
The report further stated that 49.9% patronised retailers selling drinks in sachet packs and PET bottles.
It recorded lower proportions for liquor stores at 15.4%, restaurants 12.6% and supermarkets 7.9%.
The study also found that 49.9% accessed drinks from friends and relatives and 45.9% at social gatherings.
Among those who procured drinks for themselves, 47.2% of minors and 48.8% of the underaged bought sachets, while 41.2% of minors and 47.2% of the underaged bought PET bottles.
About 27.6% of the underaged procured alcohol in glass bottles. Procurement of sachets and PET bottles was highest in Rivers at 68.0% and 64.5%, Lagos at 52.3% and 47.7% and Kaduna at 38.6% and 28.4%.
The proportion of drinks procured in sachets was higher among males at 51.4% compared with females at 41.5%, and higher in rural locations at 50.1% compared with urban areas at 45.3%.
On frequency of consumption, 54.0% of respondents were described as occasional drinkers, 24.0% drank alcohol daily and 11.0% drank at least once a week.
Further analysis showed that 63.2% of minors and 54.0% of the underaged drank occasionally.
The report recorded that 44.3% and 38.3% of adults drank occasionally and daily respectively. It added that 9.3% of minors and 25.2% of underaged children consumed alcoholic beverages daily, while 11.3% of minors and 9.4% of the underaged drank at least once a week.
The NAFDAC DIBAN survey, signed by the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, in Abuja, stated that most minors and underaged children buy alcohol for themselves and that 21.7% accessed alcohol from parents’ homes.
JKNewsMedia.com report concluded that access to alcohol by children can be limited if pack sizes that can be easily concealed are not available, that a ban on small pack sizes such as sachets and bottles less than 200 ml can reduce underage drinking, and that consumption should raise alarm for parents, teachers, religious leaders and the community.
