Effects of Alcoholism on Young Women - Literature review Example

EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL USE ON YOUNG WOMEN Introduction This report will provide information for the purpose of designing a brochure to be used in a health program in addressing the effects of alcohol use on young women aged 16-35 years using the feminism approach. Therefore, the report has provided the background information of effects of alcohol on young women. It has further provided an analysis of the existing health promotion literature as well as the outline of my own philosophy on the effects of alcohol on the health of young women aged 16-35 years. Background information The harmful effects of heavy alcohol consumption have been well researched. Studies into the health benefits and risks alcohol consumption particularly impact on the health of young women. Research has indicated that women are more at risk of alcohol consumption risks than their men counterparts due to their physiological differences (World Health Organization [WHO], 2004). In particular, women’s generally have smaller body mass accompanied with smaller liver and body fat as compared to men (Douch & Brown, 2009). Hence, it is challenging for women’s body to dilute, disperse and absorb the level of alcohol they consume (Abbey, 2011). The impact of alcohol can be accelerated by the culture of dieting and thinness that impacts on young women’s health in particular (Wilsnack&Wilsnack 2002). According to study conducted by Redgrave, Swartz &Ronanoski (2003) dieting results into body fluid loss disproportionate to high levels of alcohol concentration in the body. Hence, risks associated with high levels of alcohol consumption such as alcohol dependence, cancer, liver cirrhosis and driving behaviour are more associated with young women who consume high level of alcohol than their male counterparts who consume similar amount (Ginsburg, 1999). According to Aronson (2003) in his study on the effects of alcohol on the health of Australian young women indicated that women who consume more than two standard drinks daily are more likely to suffer from premature deaths. Another study by Douch & Brown (2009) on the same group pointed out that excessive alcohol consumption results into greater risks and more particularly on the health of women as compared to their male counterparts. Consequently, on the effects of alcohol on extreme thinness and dieting and specifically among women indicated that their health is more at risk than their male counterparts. According to Australian Government Department of Veterans Affairs (n.d) about 2% of Australian young female deaths are related to alcohol with the key cause of the deaths being breast cancer, road injury, and liver cirrhosis. Hence, the information on the brochure shall be based on the previous researches on the effects of alcohol on the health of Australian young women aged 16-35 years The Australian Alcohol Guideline categorises the consumption of alcohol among women that clearly provides a reflection of long term risks to their health (Nelson, 2012).The guidelines indicate that 14 weekly standard drinks or two standard drinks daily are regarded to result into long term low risk to health. On the other hand, consuming more than three standard drinks daily or more than 15 weekly is considered to result into long term health risks to women (Smith &Weisner, 2000). Reasons why Women Drink Studies have indicated that women drink for various reasons. According to () women use alcohol so that they can self-mediate, manage stress and feel a sense of control. Consequently, women use alcohol so that they can manage stress that emerge from all angles of their lives such as relationships, career, family commitments and pressure to be successful. However, it is evident that using alcohol to break away from the aforementioned pressures only worsens the situation. Smith &Weisner (2000) in their study however pointed out that women use alcohol so as to treat depression, anxiety and other forms of mental problems. But instead of alcohol providing the much sought treatment, the problems are magnified. This can be attributed to lack sufficient information on the effects of alcohol and how to stop the behavior. Therefore, there is need to adopt a health model that will ensure social change and women empowerment. According to World Health Organization [WHO] (2004) current experience of violence among women are associated with use of alcohol. About 70% of women in Australia pointed out that they use alcohol as a way of copping with adulthood or childhood violent cases. Additionally, in case of sexual assaults, women who consume wine are more at risk of sexual violence. This is because wine has high alcoholic content as compared to other alcoholic drinks. Additionally, there is a relationship between alcohol use in women and violence. According to WHO (2004) report about 30% of women who consume high risk alcohol who either sexually or physically abused. Binge drinking among women results into increases chances of them being victims of violence and this is because their decision-making is compromised, physical capacity is reduced and in most cases they find themselves in isolated settings (Prior, 2012). ANALYSIS OF EXISTING HEALTH PROMOTION LITERATURE Alcohol and cancer among young women Studies have indicated breast cancer which is among the common forms of cancer among young women is specifically impacted by alcohol and it has become a key health issue in Australia (Young & Powers, 2005). Alcohol use “ increases the risk of bowel cancer in women” and “Alcohol use may contribute to weight (fat) gain, and greater body fatness is a convincing cause of cancers of the oesophagus, pancreas, bowel, endometrium, kidney and breast (in post-menopausal women)” (Cancer Council of Australia, 2010 p1). According to National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism [NIAAA] (n.d.) young women who are at risk of various heart diseases and breast cancer can stop moderate or light alcohol consumption altogether. Additionally, high level of alcohol consumption is a key risk factor of other forms of cancer such as cancer of the liver, larynx, oesophagus, oral cavity and pharynx (Toh et al., 2010). However, the literature fails to provide sufficient evidence on the correlation high level of alcohol consumption and other forms of cancer. However, according to Australian review written by English et al pointed out that alcohol consumption results into 21% and 8% of male and female oropharyngeal cancer respectively (Prior, 2012). One health promotion program which addresses this issue was developed by Australian government in 2008.The program aimed at specifically educating women on the correlation between alcohol and social implication among young Australia women (Smith & Berger, 2010). The health program was to run for a period of 6 months and a journal was to be written and distributed among young women aged between 18-35 years. The program aimed at using the health care officers and the local communities in reaching their target groups. However, the program did not give a time frame for its evaluation. The approach used in the program was educational approach. However, empowerment and feminisms approach could have been ideal in addressing alcohol risks and social implication among women. This is due to the fact that feminist approach aims at social change and not only behavioural change. So this program’s focus on behaviour suggests that it will have only a limited impact in terms of changing the broader aspects of women’s lives which may lead them to drink at risky levels (Camargo, 1996). Fetal alcohol system and other related conditions Alcohol consumption among young Australian women affects the foetus safety during pregnancy. High levels of alcohol consumption among young women risks unborn child such as low birth weight, congenital abnormalities, cognitive defects and risks of miscarriages (National Health and Medical Research Council [NHMRC], 2009, &Pastorino, Doyle-Portillo, & Doyle-Portillo, 2005). High levels of drinking maximize the mentioned risks, the mentioned risks commence from the time of conception when a woman may not be aware that she has conceived, an aspect that is a threat to the foetus (Smith &Weisner, 2000). Consequently, after the birth of the children, they are further at risks as there is presence of alcohol in the blood stream which is passed into breast milk (O’Leary, 2002). Furthermore, another study found out that the number of young women consuming high level of alcohol has increased in the recent years, thus escalating the correlation of alcohol consumption with health risks (Mumenthaler, Taylor, O'Hara &Yesavage, 1999). Consequently women are more at risk to adverse health effects of alcohol as compared to their anti-alcoholic counterparts and men from similar age group (NHMRC, 2001). The program used educational approach in its implementation. The program aimed at making Australian young women who were consuming high levels of alcohol to provide informed choice concerning their health behaviour. The program did not aim at persuading or motivating change towards one particular direction in developing necessary social skills in managing levels of alcohol consumption. Outline of the philosophy Use of alcohol among women is considered a feminist issue. According to Douch & Brown (2009) alcohol use was considered a man’s issue but currently the problem affect about 4 million Australian young women aged 18 years and above. Consequently, use of alcohol tends to affect women more than men because of their physiological, sociological and psychological differences. O’Leary (2002) in his study further pointed out that women suffer psychological problems associated with use of alcohol as compared to their male counterparts. For instance use of alcoholism in women has been associated with psychological problems like depression. In such situations, women use alcohol in responding with depression. Additionally, it has been estimated that one in six Australian women who suffer from depression have histories of sexual, physical and emotional abuse. Smith &Weisner (2000) further add that women who use alcohol experience various forms of victimization as compared to their male counterparts. In the past, the liberal feminist have used the democratic structure to impact social change on women. The primary goal of the feminist approach is to establish equal opportunities for women via economic and political reforms. Use of alcohol women is not an isolated social problem. According to Camargo (1996) women who have been raised in families that are dysfunctional in most cases tend to repeat the dysfunctional behaviours in their own families thus ensuring that the cycle of addiction continues. Use of alcohol and addition among women is a traumatic experience to the family members. However, recovery through feminism approach can be empowering. Additionally, women in recovery are able to develop a language via which they can identify all their dysfunctional behaviour and thus ensure that they stop consuming high risk alcohol. McMunn (2008) argued that social exclusion of women have contributed to increase use of alcohol. Therefore, it is important to include certain women issues in the women empowerment programs on the excessive use of alcohol and the effect of the same of their health. Increased education for women including education and adult literacy on the adverse effects of alcohol can lead to change in social behaviour. Cyr & McGarry (2002) add that even though increased educational opportunities are essential, micro-enterprises have been identified as the quickest route in improving education on the excessive use of alcohol. The mentioned is on the hypothesis that women who are financially empowered are likely not to spend their money on alcohol. Hence, the brochure will aim at reducing the effects of alcohol on the identified target group with aim of saving lives, preventing injuries and reducing diseases through social change and empowerment. The harmful and hazardous use of alcohol among young women is a key issue in Australia contributing to not only diseases but also injury and death: to the young women drinkers via health impacts like liver cirrhosis, injuries, alcohol dependence, fetal deaths and cancers among other forms of illness in addition to social effects such as sexual assault and domestic violence (Cancer Council of Australia, 2010). Health promotion approach Feminism empowerment will be applicable with an aim of attaining social change among the target group. Hence, the aim of the brochure will be to educate Australian young women on the effects of alcohol use with aim of ensuring their empowerment. Strategies adopted in designing a new brochure Most of the reviewed literature and health promotion programs in addressing the effects of alcohol among young Australian women had a number of shortcomings which have been highlighted in the first section of this report. For instance the literatures and the promotional programs concentrated on one particular effects of alcohol on women’s health other than holistic coverage. Furthermore, they are limited to educational and behavioural lifestyle approaches which do not address the broader determinants of which influence alcohol use amongst women which include their economic backgrounds and levels of education. Consequently, the information presented on the mentioned literature was not comprehensive and presentable. Hence, the brochure will take the mentioned shortcomings into consideration. For instance, the brochure will be simple, comprehensive, portable, easily understandable and with illustrations. Attached is the copy of the brochure. The health program will run for a period of three months. Brochure on the effects of alcohol on the health of women will be distributed to the about 1,000 women living in Victoria with the help of religious leaders, community health officers and the community as a whole. Evaluation of the brochure The brochure was given to one health professional and one woman who is likely to use it. According to health professional, the brochure was well written and it was informative and factual. However, he suggested change in the language used as in some circumstances the claims were strong and hence the language was changed appropriately in the new brochure. On the other hand, the women indicated that it was easy for her to understand the information presented in the brochure. According to her, the information was also educative. References Abbey, A. (2011). Alcohol and Dating Risk Factors for Sexual Assault. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 35(2), 362-368. doi: 10.1177/0361684311404150 Aronson, K. (2003). Alcohol: a recently identified risk factor for breast cancer. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 168(9), 1147-1148. Australian Government Department of Veterans Affairs.(n.d). Alcohol and women health’s. Retrieved from http://www.therightmix.gov.au/resources/documents/P01994I_Alcohol_-_Women's_Health.pdf Baer, D. J., Judd, J. T., Clevidence, B. A., Muesing, R. A., Campbell, W. S., Brown, E. D., & Taylor, P. R. (2002). Moderate alcohol consumption lowers risk factors for cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women fed a controlled diet. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 75(3), 593-599. Camargo, C. A. (1996). Case-control and cohort studies of moderate alcohol consumption and stroke.Clinicachimicaacta, 246(1), 107-119. Cancer Council of Australia (2010). Position statement: Alcohol and cancer. 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