Open AccessAccessibility of alcohol as a risk factor contributing towards alcohol abuse amongst the youth of a selected rural community in Limpopo Province, South Africa
Author(s) -
Enoch Rabotata,
Jabulani Calvin Makhubele,
Prudence Mafa
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
technium social sciences journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2668-7798
DOI - 10.47577/tssj.v25i1.5011
Subject(s) - alcohol abuse , intervention (counseling) , environmental health , exploratory research , rural area , qualitative research , suicide prevention , psychology , poison control , socioeconomics , medicine , psychiatry , sociology , social science , pathology
Alcohol abuse amongst the youth is one of the major problems the world is facing, especially in rural communities where the majority of young people are unemployed and have little to do with their time. This study sought to determine the accessibility of alcohol amongst the youth of a rural community in Limpopo province, South Africa. This was a qualitative study which employed the exploratory case study research design which allowed the researchers to explore the risk factors for youth alcohol abuse. Interviews were conducted to collect data which was analysed thematically. The Eco-systems theory was used as a guiding theory for this study. The study found that there were clear associations between physical availability of alcohol, its affordability and high density of liquor outlets in one area and youth alcohol abuse. This study concluded that alcohol and other substance abuse call for preventative and intervention measures in rural communities targeted at the youth. Issues such as educating parents and guardians on how to improve their parenting skills in relation to alcohol consumption and the dangers thereof proved to be of greater need in the rural communities.