10 African countries with the highest alcoholism rates
10 African countries with the highest alcoholism rates Business Insider Africa
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In many African cultures, drinking is part of traditional rituals and ceremonies.
In many African cultures, drinking is part of traditional rituals and ceremonies. While this is deeply rooted in cultural practices, it also contributes to a higher societal tolerance for alcohol consumption.
Alcoholism and its Impact
Alcoholism is a chronic issue where someone abuses and depends on alcohol. It’s classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on the symptoms, which include difficulty limiting the amount one drinks, drinking in unsafe situations, and sacrificing social or work activities for alcohol consumption.
Like the rest of the world, Africa is dealing with a growing burden of harmful alcohol consumption and its disastrous effects. According to the United Nations, there is no other consumer product as widely available as alcohol that accounts for as much premature death and disability. Globally, 3.3 million deaths annually stem from the harmful use of alcohol, and this represents 5.9% of all deaths.
Excessive consumption of alcohol or alcohol dependency comes with serious consequences. It can mess with people’s health, causing heart problems, liver issues, strokes, and high blood pressure.
Moreover, it also contributes to increased crime, road accidents, and sadly, even loss of life. So, it’s more than just a personal problem; it’s also a community concern.
In previous articles, we explored African countries with the highest alcohol consumption and those with the highest beer consumption. However, according to Wisevoter, the prevalence of alcoholism in a country does not directly correlate with its alcohol consumption. This is because a country could have a large population of drinkers but few with alcoholism, and vice versa.
10 African Countries with the Highest Alcoholism Rates
- Togo – Prevalence of alcohol dependence: 3.3%, Alcohol consumption per capita: 12 L, Global rank: 36th
- Botswana – Prevalence of alcohol dependence: 2.5%, Alcohol consumption per capita: 26.2 L, Global rank: 86th
- Cameroon – Prevalence of alcohol dependence: 2.5%, Alcohol consumption per capita: 22.6 L, Global rank: 87th
- Rwanda – Prevalence of alcohol dependence: 2.5%, Alcohol consumption per capita: 25.6 L, Global rank: 89th
- Seychelles – Prevalence of alcohol dependence: 2.5%, Alcohol consumption per capita: 21.8 L, Global rank: 90th
- Uganda – Prevalence of alcohol dependence: 2.5%, Alcohol consumption per capita: 26 L, Global rank: 91st
- Eswatini – Prevalence of alcohol dependence: 2.5%, Alcohol consumption per capita: 34.4 L, Global rank: 92nd
- Burundi – Prevalence of alcohol dependence: 2.4%, Alcohol consumption per capita: 23.7 L, Global rank: 93rd
- Equatorial Guinea – Prevalence of alcohol dependence: 2.4%, Alcohol consumption per capita: 15.5 L, Global rank: 94th
- Gabon – Prevalence of alcohol dependence: 2.4%, Alcohol consumption per capita: 17.2 L, Global rank: 95th
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol
- SDG 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Prevalence of alcohol dependence
- Alcohol consumption per capita
These indicators can be used to measure progress towards SDG 3.5, which aims to strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including the harmful use of alcohol. The prevalence of alcohol dependence indicates the extent of the issue, while alcohol consumption per capita provides insights into the level of alcohol consumption in a country.
The article also mentions increased crime rates and loss of life as consequences of excessive alcohol consumption. These can be used as indicators to measure progress towards SDG 16.1, which aims to significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol | – Prevalence of alcohol dependence – Alcohol consumption per capita |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere | – Increased crime rates – Loss of life |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: africa.businessinsider.com
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