Alcohol use in seven ethnic communities in Ontario: A qualitative investigation

Abstract

Populations in Canada represent a diverse range of cultures with different beliefs and norms regarding alcohol use and related problems. While there is very little published research on the cultural aspects of alcohol and other substance uses in Canada, in spite of the cultural diversity of the country, there are important indications that alcohol is a serious problem in many ethnic communities. In order to arrive at a more complete understanding of the issues related to providing culturally sensitive approaches that would meet the alcohol-related health promotion needs of diverse communities, focus group discussions were conducted with the key informants and community members from seven Ontario communities: the Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Tamil, Punjabi, Serbian and Somali. The results revealed that the types and sizes of alcoholic beverages consumed in each community, drinking levels that are considered 'normal' or 'excessive', as well as the perception of alcohol-related problems are largely shaped by their cultural norms and beliefs, which often differ from those of the dominant culture. Health messages that reflect the dominant culture are often not relevant to people from different cultural backgrounds. Socioeconomic disadvantages and barriers to service utilization heighten their vulnerability to alcohol problems. These findings have important implications for prevention and service provision, particularly to ethnic communities that may be unlikely to access services through more standard channels.

Gender Differences in Alcohol Use and Risk Drinking in Ontario Ethnic Groups

“…For example, the category ''South Asian'' covers a range of diverse groups including those originating from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh with different religious and social norms towards alcohol use. Findings from qualitative studies suggest that problem drinking is an important but unrecognized problem within subgroups of some of these broader groups (Agic et al, 2010), but due to the small sample size of some of these groups, the data could not be disaggregated further.…”

“…The types and sizes of alcoholic beverages consumed by respondents from some non-Western ethnic groups may differ in size and strength from a ''standard drink'' used to calculate quantity and frequency of alcohol use in Western societies, which may lead to miscalculating and underreporting actual alcohol consumption (Agic et al, 2010).…”

20201218

“…Also using a qualitative approach, Baron-Epel and colleagues (2015) found a similar pattern -heavy drinking in secluded place -among young Muslim men in Israel. Likewise, focus groups among Somali Canadians reported that Somali who drink try to hide it from others in the community (Agic, Mann, & Kobus-Matthews, 2011).…”

Developing a guide for community-based groups to reduce alcohol-related harm among African migrants

“…1 This could involve using program messages that frame problematic alcohol use as a family or community issue, 9,13 because many African community members are brought up with or influenced by collectivist cultural values that emphasise interdependence, the importance of family relationships and strong community ties. 27,28 Highlighting the consequences of harmful alcohol use on the family's well being 6 or providing community-wide educational programs to capitalise on strong intracommunity networks, and where seeking help outside the family/community may not be common, has been recommended. 14,29 Cultural practices and economic and regulatory policies that make accessing and consuming alcohol comparatively easier and more Semistructured face-to-face interviews with people who currently or formerly injected drugs (n = 6) and who had never injected (n = 12)…”