PREVALENCE, PATTERNS AND FACTORS INFLUENCING ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AMONG MOTHERS OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE IN SOME SELECTED SOCIETIES

LESSONS FOR INTERVENSION AGENCIES

Abstract

There rate of alcohol use and misuse among women in Nigeria and beyond is worrisome with several social and health implications. This paper which is an empirical review of literature focuses primarily on female related issues with regard to drinking. Using Symbolic interactionism paradigm complemented by Normalization theory, the paper reviewed scholarly works related to prevalence, patterns and factors that influence drinking among mothers of reproductive age (and its effects) across some societies .Being a review paper, the authors relied completely on secondary data which were analysed using theme driven manual content analysis techniques. The reviewed research reports documented that factors such as partner involvement, social acceptance, sexual stimulation, desire to induce sleep constitute social factors that influence consumption of alcohol among mothers of reproductive age.Other reasons why mothers drink alcohol
include to get high, to ward off boredom or idleness, as well as ignorance about the outcome, emotional imbalance and for enjoyment. The paper recommended adequate sensitization of women folk on the dangers of alcohol consumption. There is also the need to regulate alcohol production, marketing and consumption across age and gender, especially among mothers of reproductive age.