Western Kenya has topped the list of regions with the highest prevalence of alcoholism in Kenya, according to a survey conducted by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada).
The survey that was released on Monday 11, revealed that the Western region has an alcohol consumption rate of 26.4 percent, with the Coast region coming second with a rate of 13.9 percent. Central Kenya closed the third slot with a rate of 12.8 percent.
When it comes to the consumption of Chang’aa, a traditional spirit made from the fermentation of grains like millet, again, the Western region topped with a rate of 11.4 percent followed by Nyanza at 6.3 percent. Rift Valley region came third with a consumption rate of 3.6 percent.
The survey further showed that the Western region led the country in consumption of traditional brews, topping at 12.9 percent, followed by Coast at 7.9 percent, while Nyanza is third with a rate of 2.2 percent.
In terms of drinking spirits, the NACADA report highlighted the Central region to lead with a prevalence of 4.3 percent, followed by the Coast at 3.2 percent while Rift Valley came third with 3.1 percent.
The survey showed Nairobi has the highest consumption of legally manufactured alcohol with a prevalence rate of 10.3 percent, Central comes second with 10.0 percent while Eastern is third with 8.4 percent.
Notably, NACADA revealed that alcohol is currently the most abused drug in Kenya.
One in every 8 Kenyans aged between 15 and 65 years are currently currently using alcohol.
The survey totalled the number of alcohol users in the country to 3,199,119 people.
Of the same age demographic, NACADA reports that more males (2,511,763) are currently using alcohol than females (687,356).
Citing the use of a cross-sectional study design in its survey, NACADA revealed that it was able to track reliable estimates of drugs and substance use nationally, in the regions and urban and rural locations.
“The survey was conducted in selected clusters spread across the 47 counties of the Republic of Kenya,” the survey stated.
“The study sampled Kenyans aged 15 to 65 years. The sample for the survey was obtained from the Kenya a Household Master Sample Frame (K-HMSF) maintained by the KNBS.”
