Summary:
- The project’s principal investigator, Prof. Nazarius Mbona Tumwesigye, announced that the project is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
KABALE: A collaborative team of researchers from Makerere University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom has launched a groundbreaking research project aimed at addressing harmful alcohol consumption in the Kigezi region of Uganda.
The project, titled “A Community-Based Intervention Against Harmful Use of Alcohol in Rural Settings: A Pilot Study Around Lake Bunyonyi in Kigezi, Uganda (COBIHA)”, will focus on communities surrounding Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale and Rubanda districts.
During an entry meeting held with Kabale District LC5 Chairperson Nelson Nshangabasheija on Monday, the research team, led by the project’s principal investigator, Prof. Nazarius Mbona Tumwesigye, announced that the project is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
Prof. Tumwesigye highlighted that the study will review existing community evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing harmful alcohol use. It will also pilot a survey to assess the extent of alcohol abuse and identify associated factors.
The research will explore the underlying reasons for harmful alcohol consumption and gather community perceptions on effective and culturally acceptable ways to mitigate it.
Kabale District LC5 Chairperson Nelson Nshangabasheija welcomed the initiative, emphasizing that the research outcomes could help address the persistent challenges and negative impacts of alcohol abuse in the Kigezi region.
He noted that while some local governments in the region have developed by-laws and regulatory guidelines against alcohol abuse, the absence of comprehensive statistical evidence has hindered progress. He expressed optimism that this study would bridge that gap.
The study will involve systematic reviews of community-based interventions related to alcohol abuse and conduct a cross-sectional survey in randomly selected villages.
This initiative marks a significant step toward understanding and reducing the harmful use of alcohol in rural communities around Lake Bunyonyi, ultimately aiming to improve public health and social well-being in the region.
Other co-investigators are;
Dr Merlin Willcox, University of Southampton
Dr Vincent Mubangizi, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Dr Wilber Karugahe, Makerere University School of Psychology.
Prof Sam Maling, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Dr Agnes Napyo, Kabale University.
Dr Aggry Musoke, Makerere University School of Public Health.
Ms Catherine Gitige, Makerere university School of Public Health.
Dr Mary Mbuo, University of Southampton.
