Alcohol Toolkit: Empowering Sabah Indigenous Communities to Reduce Alcohol Related Harm

Authors

  • Helen Benedict Lasimbang
  • Elizabeth Eckermann
  • Wendy Diana Shoesmith
  • Sandi James
  • Aisat Ellik bin Igau @ Oswald Iggau
  • Lee Kuok Tung
  • Jephte Sompud
  • Asong Joseph

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51200/bjms.v13i3.1533

Keywords:

alcohol toolkit, empowering communities, Sabah, alcohol harm, focus group discussion

Abstract

Alcohol misuse compromises the quality of life of individuals, families, communities and whole societies in a variety of ways. Malaysia acknowledges the problems, implementing policies and health promotion activities in line with the World Health Organization Global Strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol by 10% between 2010 and 2025. Sabah, one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo, has more than 30 different indigenous ethnic groups. Alcohol production and consumption have traditional and unique roles in the cultural practices of many of these groups, making one common programme difficult to implement. Preliminary research suggests that alcohol is a serious problem in indigenous communities in Sabah. It also shows lack of knowledge on recommended limits for alcohol consumption and understanding of alcohol-related harm. The objective of this action-research is to produce a toolkit that will transfer knowledge and empower communities to adopt safer drinking and reduce alcohol-related harm. It must be attractive, appropriate, easily understood and be able to be tailored to suit different communities. The alcohol tool-kit was developed by a group of academicians using evidence-based information. Qualitative research methods were used to evaluate the initial alcohol tool-kit. A purposive sample of 45 village representatives was selected and divided into 5 groups for focus group discussion. Their feedback was recorded and transcribed verbatim. The alcohol tool-kit was edited accordingly. All participants agreed the alcohol tool-kit was important and can empower communities to reduce alcoholrelated harm directly improving their quality of life. The amended alcohol tool-kit will be recommended for health promotion material and evaluated from time to time.

Author Biographies

Helen Benedict Lasimbang

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,
Universiti Malaysia Sabah,
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Elizabeth Eckermann

School of Humanities and Social Sciences,
Deakin University of Australia

Wendy Diana Shoesmith

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,
Universiti Malaysia Sabah,
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Sandi James

Faculty of Health, Science and Engineering,
La Trobe University,
Victoria, Australia

Aisat Ellik bin Igau @ Oswald Iggau

Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy,
Universiti Malaysia Sabah,
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Lee Kuok Tung

Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Heritage,
Universiti Malaysia Sabah,
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Jephte Sompud

Faculty of Science and Natural Resources,
Universiti Malaysia Sabah,
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Asong Joseph

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,
Universiti Malaysia Sabah,
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Published

2019-09-28

How to Cite

Lasimbang, H. B., Eckermann, E., Shoesmith, W. D., James, S., @ Oswald Iggau, A. E. bin I., Tung, L. K., Sompud, J., & Joseph, A. (2019). Alcohol Toolkit: Empowering Sabah Indigenous Communities to Reduce Alcohol Related Harm. Borneo Journal of Medical Sciences (BJMS), 13(3), 11. https://doi.org/10.51200/bjms.v13i3.1533
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