Types And Management Of Alcohol-Related Physical Injuries Among Persons With Alcohol Use Disorder In Kiambu County,Githunguri Sub-County

ABSTRACT

Around 5.1% of the worldwide disease burden and injury, as well as 5.9% of all fatalities are linked to alcohol abuse. In Kenya, Kiambu County is one of the leading counties in alcohol abuse and alcohol-related physical injuries. The study established the types and management of alcohol-related physical injuries among 383 persons with alcohol use disorder in Githunguri Sub-county, Kiambu County. The crosssectional survey specifically occurred from March-November 2015 in Githiga and Ngewa County wards. An Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)and a questionnaire helped in enrollment to study and data collection. Respondents were asked about the physical injuries they had sustained in the preceding 12 months and how they managed them. The Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) helped incomputing the proportion for each injury. Chi-Square aided in measuring the relationship between study variables whereby p value of ≤0.05 was statistically significant. Incisions and abrasions were the leading injuries mainly occurring on the head and upper extremities. Leading contributors of alcohol abuse were socialization, loneliness and anxiety.The injuries were higher among males, those with secondary level of education, separated/divorced and 18-29 year-olds. Gender, level of education, marital status and agehad a statistically significant relationship withinjuries.Only 35.5% of theinjured respondents had sought medical care. Alcoholrelated physical injuries were a significant but largely neglected contributor of disease burden. County and national governments should thus create a broad-based strategy to reduce the injuries by addressing issues such as male-child neglect, unemployment, poverty and drinking socialization.