THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL AND SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES AMONG UNIFORM MEN
Abstract
Alcohol consumption and
sexually transmitted
diseases (STDs) have been
a global challenge that
confronts most countries of
the world. Alcohol as it were
has always come with more of negative outcomes. And in considering the correlation between alcohol and sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs) one would be able to know that it is the outcome effect of it, which one of it is sexual
arouse that results into sexually transmitted infections (STIs) which when not immediately managed could results into
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). And in recent time it was observed that most uniform men consume more of
alcohol to make them to be pro-active at work and because of the power they have on the general populace, by virtue
of their work and the authority conferred on them, they tend to take advantage of others, mostly when under the
influence of alcohol, precisely ladies. And because of the alcohol influence they tend to involve themselves in risky
behaviour which later results into sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). For this reason, this study wants to
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investigate the effects of alcohol and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among uniform men. For this study 150
questionnaires were used of which 120 questionnaires were retrieved. The result of the study
shows that 72.5% of the respondents take alcohol and 51.7% get aroused sexually after the intake of alcohol and as
a result of this, they involve themselves in risky behaviour. 61.7% of the entire respondents said they have contracted
an STI before. So for all these effects the study has been able to come up with some recommendations so as to
manage the resultant effect of risky behaviour that is sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and to also have
consistent orientation programmes on how they can be health conscious at every point in time.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Available statistics suggest that the global burden of disease with regard to both alcohol and unsafe sex is
considerable. For example, in 1990 alcohol accounted for 3.5 percent of the total Disability-Adjusted Life Years
(DALYs) lost globally, and for 2.1 percent of the total years of life lost; unsafe sex accounted for 3.0 percent of the
total years of life lost globally (Room et al., 2002: Murray & Lopez, 1996). The respective contributions of alcohol and
unsafe sex to the global burden of disease are, furthermore, amplified through the linkages that have been shown to
exist between alcohol, risky sexual behaviour (unintended or unprotected sexual contact) and the spread of sexually
transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV infection.
Sexual risk behaviour accounts for a large number of opportunities for acquiring HIV infection, and alcohol use has
been shown to increase high-risk sexual behaviour. Moreover, the social dynamics that surround alcohol use, sexual
risk behaviour and HIV infection and interactions between these issues warrant a search for alternative ways of
dealing with the problem in diverse socio-cultural settings, if intervention is to be effective. Only by unraveling the
social dynamics of alcohol use-related sexual risk behaviour within particular cultural settings can this be achieved. It
can be anticipated that the body of knowledge acquired through proven scientifically sound instruments will not only
highlight the relevant preventive measures to be adopted but will bring out relevant clinical and experimental research
questions to be considered by all disciplines interested in curbing the problem of alcohol use-related sexual risk behaviour with regard to HIV infection.
People with alcohol use disorders are more likely than the general population to contract HIV. Similarly, people with
HIV are more likely to abuse alcohol at some time during their lives. (Petry, 1999) Krupitsky et al. Found a rate of 9
percent for alcohol abuse/dependence in hospitalized patients with HIV/AIDS (Krupitsky et al, 2005). Alcohol use is
associated with high-risk sexual behaviors and IV drug use which are two major modes of HIV transmission. Alcohol related problems are a major public health issue. A submission of the studies on alcohol use in Nigeria shows that
there has been a rapid increase in alcohol availability and consumption in recent times with young adults in universities and colleges being those mainly concerned. (Abiodun, 1991) Most alcohol-related problems appear in
non-alcoholic dependent individuals who fall into the categories of hazardous or harmful drinkers according to the
WHO (2000) terminology.
In Nigeria studies have focused on lifetime and current prevalence rates of alcohol use without exploring alcohol related problems. (Odejide et al, 1997; Adelekan et al, 1999) Adewuya in a sample of University young people found
Alcohol related problems in 13.2 percent of subjects of which 9.4 percent had Hazardous drinking, 3.1 percent had
Alcohol abuse and 0.74 percent had Alcohol dependence (Adewuya, 2005). There is an urgent need to encourage
extensive epidemiological and longitudinal studies of alcohol-related problems in Nigeria in order to accurately
determine the populations at risk. Early detection of people with hazardous alcohol intake and time bound
interventions aimed at decreasing alcohol consumption and thus the likelihood of harm and dependence is warranted.
People who abuse alcohol are more likely to engage in behaviors that place them at risk for contracting or
transmitting HIV. A history of heavy alcohol use has been correlated with a lifetime tendency toward high-risk sexual
behaviors, including multiple sex partners, unprotected intercourse, sex with high-risk partners (e.g., injection drug
users, prostitutes), and the exchange of sex for money or drugs. (Windle, 1999; Avins et al, 1999; Boscarino et ai,
2000; Malow et al, 2001) There may be many reasons for this association. For example, alcohol can act directly on
the brain to reduce inhibitions and diminish risk perception. (MacDonald et al, 2000; Fromme et al, 2000; Cooper,
2002) Decreasing alcohol uses among HIV patients not only reduces the medical and psychiatric consequences
associated with alcohol consumption but also decreases other drug use and risky sexual behavior and hence reduce
HIV transmission (Lucas et al, 2002). Thus, alcohol and other drug abuse treatment can be considered primary HIV prevention as well (Metzger et ai, 1999).
THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL AND SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES AMONG UNIFORM MEN