@article {1042, title = {Estimating alcohol content of traditional brew in Western Kenya using culturally relevant methods: the case for cost over volume.}, journal = {AIDS and behavior}, volume = {14}, year = {2010}, month = {2010 Aug}, pages = {836-44}, abstract = {Traditional homemade brew is believed to represent the highest proportion of alcohol use in sub-Saharan Africa. In Eldoret, Kenya, two types of brew are common: chang{\textquoteright}aa, spirits, and busaa, maize beer. Local residents refer to the amount of brew consumed by the amount of money spent, suggesting a culturally relevant estimation method. The purposes of this study were to analyze ethanol content of chang{\textquoteright}aa and busaa; and to compare two methods of alcohol estimation: use by cost, and use by volume, the latter the current international standard. Laboratory results showed mean ethanol content was 34\% (SD = 14\%) for chang{\textquoteright}aa and 4\% (SD = 1\%) for busaa. Standard drink unit equivalents for chang{\textquoteright}aa and busaa, respectively, were 2 and 1.3 (US) and 3.5 and 2.3 (Great Britain). Using a computational approach, both methods demonstrated comparable results. We conclude that cost estimation of alcohol content is more culturally relevant and does not differ in accuracy from the international standard.}, keywords = {Alcohol Drinking, Alcoholic Beverages, Costs and Cost Analysis, Culture, Ethanol, Humans, International System of Units, Kenya}, issn = {1573-3254}, author = {Papas, Rebecca K and Sidle, John E and Wamalwa, Emmanuel S and Okumu, Thomas O and Bryant, Kendall L and Goulet, Joseph L and Maisto, Stephen A and Braithwaite, R Scott and Justice, Amy C} }