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Abstract
The study examined alcohol consumption and its effects on economic and
social livelihood of selected rural communities of Enugu State. One hundred
and twenty randomly selected alcohol consuming heads of households and
sixty four purposively selected non-alcohol consuming heads of household
were used. Data were collected using structured interview schedule and
analysed using percentage. Alcoholic beverages available were palm wine
(100%), beer (100%), local gin (100%), spirit (89.2%), and burukutu (41.7%).
Respondents indicated preference for palm wine (50.0%). Choice of alcoholic
beverage was a function of several factors namely availability, ability to
produce the alcohol, cost and others. Effects of alcohol consumption were
evident by less commitment to livelihood activities, household’s welfare,
incidents of violence and others. The study recommends that policies should
be enacted to regulate proliferation and operation of alcohol enterprises in the
rural areas. More importantly is the regulation of the type of alcohol marketed
in the communities. Also government should promote programmes that target
improved livelihood strategies and empowerment of rural people to enhance
diversification of the rural economy