Community perspectives on cultural practices and belief systems influencing alcohol and drug use: a qualitative study in Anaang Community, Nigeria

Abstract

Alcohol and drug use are socially sewn into cultural practices and belief systems in societies. This has been the case with Anaang community. This qualitative study examined narratives in a natural setting to gain insights on cultural practices relating to alcohol and drug use in Anaang society. The methods of study were participant observation and in-depth interview with 80 participants. The study found that some cultural activities harbour causal factors to alcohol use. Majority of participants reported using alcohol in conformity with societal norms and values. Participants differed in opinion concerning drug use. Some confessed using drugs out of personal conviction. Conversely, a good proportion of participants believed that cultural practices and belief system have either overtly or covertly lured them into drug use. Participants unanimously identified low literacy rates, ignorance and lack of effective regulatory mechanism as precursors to alcohol and drug use in local communities. This study mediated through Anaang cultural practices and belief system to derive informed insights that are needful for designing culture-sensitive-programme of preventive intervention for alcohol and drug use in local communities in Nigeria.