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European Journal of Environment and Public Health

Health Impacts of a Traditional Illicit Brew (Kaanga) Consumed in Meru County, Kenya
Atuna Titus Gitari 1, Osano Aloys 1, Bakari Chaka 1 * , Bulitia Godrick 2
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1 Department of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, Maasai Mara University, Narok, KENYA
2 Department of Economics and Human Resource Management, Maasai Mara University, Narok, KENYA
* Corresponding Author
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Research Article

European Journal of Environment and Public Health, 2021 - Volume 5 Issue 1, Article No: em0065
https://doi.org/10.29333/ejeph/9146

Published Online: 04 Nov 2020

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How to cite this article
APA 6th edition
In-text citation: (Gitari et al., 2021)
Reference: Gitari, A. T., Aloys, O., Chaka, B., & Godrick, B. (2021). Health Impacts of a Traditional Illicit Brew (Kaanga) Consumed in Meru County, Kenya. European Journal of Environment and Public Health, 5(1), em0065. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejeph/9146
Vancouver
In-text citation: (1), (2), (3), etc.
Reference: Gitari AT, Aloys O, Chaka B, Godrick B. Health Impacts of a Traditional Illicit Brew (Kaanga) Consumed in Meru County, Kenya. EUROPEAN J ENV PUBLI. 2021;5(1):em0065. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejeph/9146
AMA 10th edition
In-text citation: (1), (2), (3), etc.
Reference: Gitari AT, Aloys O, Chaka B, Godrick B. Health Impacts of a Traditional Illicit Brew (Kaanga) Consumed in Meru County, Kenya. EUROPEAN J ENV PUBLI. 2021;5(1), em0065. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejeph/9146
Chicago
In-text citation: (Gitari et al., 2021)
Reference: Gitari, Atuna Titus, Osano Aloys, Bakari Chaka, and Bulitia Godrick. "Health Impacts of a Traditional Illicit Brew (Kaanga) Consumed in Meru County, Kenya". European Journal of Environment and Public Health 2021 5 no. 1 (2021): em0065. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejeph/9146
Harvard
In-text citation: (Gitari et al., 2021)
Reference: Gitari, A. T., Aloys, O., Chaka, B., and Godrick, B. (2021). Health Impacts of a Traditional Illicit Brew (Kaanga) Consumed in Meru County, Kenya. European Journal of Environment and Public Health, 5(1), em0065. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejeph/9146
MLA
In-text citation: (Gitari et al., 2021)
Reference: Gitari, Atuna Titus et al. "Health Impacts of a Traditional Illicit Brew (Kaanga) Consumed in Meru County, Kenya". European Journal of Environment and Public Health, vol. 5, no. 1, 2021, em0065. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejeph/9146
ABSTRACT
Kaanga brew is a common illicit liquor from Meru county in Kenya. Popularity of this brew has been growing and is religiously passed down from one generation to the next. The substrates, preparation process and additives used in making it are unhygienic and toxic. As a result, numerous social and health effects have stemmed from its consumption. This study aimed at analyzing the health impacts arising from consumption of Kaanga brew in Meru county, Kenya. A cross-sectional design of study was employed. The research tools used included questionnaires, interviews and observations. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze and present the findings. The results indicated that popularity of this brew was mainly because it was cheaper than other alcoholic beverages. Its consumption was projected to continue for a long period, if strict intervention measures are not taken. The additives used, such as battery acid, methanol and dry cells were indeed toxic for human consumption. Several social effects which had public health effects (such as irresponsible sex activities), by extension were experienced from the consumers. Kaanga brew had significantly more chances (P > 0.05) of causing health effects compared to the other brews. Some of the direct health conditions arising from its consumption include loss of vision, memory and appetite, inflammation and regular stomach upsets. 80% of the respondents had witnessed or heard of a death case caused by the brew.
KEYWORDS
Kaanga illicit brew Meru county health impacts
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