Features of alcohol advertisements across five urban slums in Kampala, Uganda: pilot testing a container-based approach
Abstract Background Despite the high prevalence of alcohol use and marketing in many settings across sub-Saharan Africa, few studies have systematically sought to assess alcohol marketing exposure, particularly in vulnerable areas such as urban slums where alcohol is often highly prevalent but where...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13350-2 |
| _version_ | 1828553177207668736 |
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| author | Monica H. Swahn Jane B. Palmier Alicia May Dajun Dai Sarah Braunstein Rogers Kasirye |
| author_facet | Monica H. Swahn Jane B. Palmier Alicia May Dajun Dai Sarah Braunstein Rogers Kasirye |
| author_sort | Monica H. Swahn |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Despite the high prevalence of alcohol use and marketing in many settings across sub-Saharan Africa, few studies have systematically sought to assess alcohol marketing exposure, particularly in vulnerable areas such as urban slums where alcohol is often highly prevalent but where educational programs and alcohol prevention messages are scarce. Objective To pilot test the development and implementation of environmental scans of alcohol advertisements in five urban slums across different areas of Kampala, Uganda: Bwaise, Kamwokya, Makindye, Nakulabye, and Nateete. Methods Each of the five scans was conducted in geographical circles, within a 500-m radius of a Uganda Youth Development Link (UYDEL) drop-in Center using a container-based approach. Using a Garmin GPS with photo capabilities and a tablet for data entry, teams of at least two trained researchers walked the main roads within the target area and gathered information about each alcohol advertisement including its location, type, size, and placement and other characteristics. Data with the GPS coordinates, photos and descriptive details of the adverts were merged for analyses. Results A total of 235 alcohol adverts were found across all five data collection sites reflecting 32 different brands. The majority of the adverts (85.8%) were smaller and medium sizes placed by restaurants and bars, stores and kiosks, and liquor stores. The most frequently noted types of alcohol in the adverts were spirits (50.6%) and beer (30.6%). Recommendations The pilot test of the methodology we developed indicated that implementation was feasible, although challenges were noted. Since monitoring alcohol marketing is key for addressing underage alcohol use and harm, the advantages and disadvantages of the approach we developed are discussed. Future research needs to strengthen and simplify strategies for monitoring alcohol marketing in low-resource settings such as urban slums which have unique features that need to be considered. Meanwhile, the findings may yield valuable information for stakeholders and to guide intervention developments and alcohol marketing policy to protect youth. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T05:14:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a98afd768b95454b84e6868a1000ad19 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T05:14:11Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-a98afd768b95454b84e6868a1000ad192022-12-22T00:36:49ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582022-05-012211910.1186/s12889-022-13350-2Features of alcohol advertisements across five urban slums in Kampala, Uganda: pilot testing a container-based approachMonica H. Swahn0Jane B. Palmier1Alicia May2Dajun Dai3Sarah Braunstein4Rogers Kasirye5Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Georgia State UniversityDepartment of Health Promotion and Physical Education, Wellstar College of Health and Human Services, Kennesaw State UniversitySchool of Public Health, University of GeorgiaDepartment of Geosciences, Georgia State UniversityDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Georgia State UniversityUganda Youth Developmental LinkAbstract Background Despite the high prevalence of alcohol use and marketing in many settings across sub-Saharan Africa, few studies have systematically sought to assess alcohol marketing exposure, particularly in vulnerable areas such as urban slums where alcohol is often highly prevalent but where educational programs and alcohol prevention messages are scarce. Objective To pilot test the development and implementation of environmental scans of alcohol advertisements in five urban slums across different areas of Kampala, Uganda: Bwaise, Kamwokya, Makindye, Nakulabye, and Nateete. Methods Each of the five scans was conducted in geographical circles, within a 500-m radius of a Uganda Youth Development Link (UYDEL) drop-in Center using a container-based approach. Using a Garmin GPS with photo capabilities and a tablet for data entry, teams of at least two trained researchers walked the main roads within the target area and gathered information about each alcohol advertisement including its location, type, size, and placement and other characteristics. Data with the GPS coordinates, photos and descriptive details of the adverts were merged for analyses. Results A total of 235 alcohol adverts were found across all five data collection sites reflecting 32 different brands. The majority of the adverts (85.8%) were smaller and medium sizes placed by restaurants and bars, stores and kiosks, and liquor stores. The most frequently noted types of alcohol in the adverts were spirits (50.6%) and beer (30.6%). Recommendations The pilot test of the methodology we developed indicated that implementation was feasible, although challenges were noted. Since monitoring alcohol marketing is key for addressing underage alcohol use and harm, the advantages and disadvantages of the approach we developed are discussed. Future research needs to strengthen and simplify strategies for monitoring alcohol marketing in low-resource settings such as urban slums which have unique features that need to be considered. Meanwhile, the findings may yield valuable information for stakeholders and to guide intervention developments and alcohol marketing policy to protect youth.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13350-2Environmental scanAlcoholAlcohol marketingKampalaUgandaHealth |
| spellingShingle | Monica H. Swahn Jane B. Palmier Alicia May Dajun Dai Sarah Braunstein Rogers Kasirye Features of alcohol advertisements across five urban slums in Kampala, Uganda: pilot testing a container-based approach BMC Public Health Environmental scan Alcohol Alcohol marketing Kampala Uganda Health |
| title | Features of alcohol advertisements across five urban slums in Kampala, Uganda: pilot testing a container-based approach |
| title_full | Features of alcohol advertisements across five urban slums in Kampala, Uganda: pilot testing a container-based approach |
| title_fullStr | Features of alcohol advertisements across five urban slums in Kampala, Uganda: pilot testing a container-based approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | Features of alcohol advertisements across five urban slums in Kampala, Uganda: pilot testing a container-based approach |
| title_short | Features of alcohol advertisements across five urban slums in Kampala, Uganda: pilot testing a container-based approach |
| title_sort | features of alcohol advertisements across five urban slums in kampala uganda pilot testing a container based approach |
| topic | Environmental scan Alcohol Alcohol marketing Kampala Uganda Health |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13350-2 |
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