| Title | Estimating alcohol content of traditional brew in Western Kenya using culturally relevant methods: the case for cost over volume. |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2010 |
| Authors | Papas, Rebecca K., John E. Sidle, Emmanuel S. Wamalwa, Thomas O. Okumu, Kendall L. Bryant, Joseph L. Goulet, Stephen A. Maisto, Scott R. Braithwaite, and Amy C. Justice |
| Journal | AIDS and behavior |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pagination | 836-44 |
| Date Published | 2010 Aug |
| ISSN | 1573-3254 |
| Keywords | Alcohol Drinking, Alcoholic Beverages, Costs and Cost Analysis, Culture, Ethanol, Humans, International System of Units, Kenya |
| 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'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'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'aa and 4% (SD = 1%) for busaa. Standard drink unit equivalents for chang'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. |
| Alternate Journal | AIDS Behav |
