Open AccessA descriptive study of kava use among Tongan men in Macarthur, Sydney South West
Author(s) -
Maneze Della,
Speizer Anau,
Dalton Noeline,
Dennis Sarah
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1753-6405
pISSN - 1326-0200
DOI - 10.1111/j.1753-6405.2008.00246.x
Subject(s) - kava , medicine , euphoriant , traditional medicine , environmental health , alcohol consumption , gerontology , alcohol , psychiatry , biochemistry , chemistry
Objective:To describe the pattern of kava use among Tongan men in Macarthur.Methods:A kava use survey of Tongan men was conducted between May and October 2006.Results:Seventy‐three Tongan men aged over 18 completed the survey, 90% drank kava regularly at least twice a week with 20 or more cups per session. During the kava sessions the men also reported smoking (26%), drinking alcohol (15%) and consuming foods with high fat or sugar content (29%). Feelings of euphoria were reported during session with alcohol‐like hang‐over effects the next day. Socialisation was the main reason given for drinking kava.Conclusions:Kava is consumed regularly and in large quantities by Tongan men in Macarthur. They also consume fatty or sugary foods during the sessions and the smoking rate is high.Implications:There is a need to reduce smoking and promote the consumption of healthier foods during kava sessions.