Yale University

Estimating alcohol content of traditional brew in Western Kenya using culturally relevant methods: the case for cost over volume.

TitleEstimating alcohol content of traditional brew in Western Kenya using culturally relevant methods: the case for cost over volume.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsPapas, 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
JournalAIDS and behavior
Volume14
Issue4
Pagination836-44
Date Published2010 Aug
ISSN1573-3254
KeywordsAlcohol Drinking, Alcoholic Beverages, Costs and Cost Analysis, Culture, Ethanol, Humans, International System of Units, Kenya
AbstractTraditional 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 JournalAIDS Behav

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