@article{ref1,
title="Private troubles to public issue: empowering communities to reduce alcohol-related harm in Sabah, Malaysia",
journal="Health promotion international",
year="2015",
author="Lasimbang, Helen Benedict and Shoesmith, Wendy and Mohd Daud, Mohd Nazri Bin and Kaur, Nirmal and Jin, Margaret Chin Pau and Singh, Jaswant and John, Wilfred and Salumbi, Edna and Amir, Lidwina",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="Alcohol is the number three contributor to the burden of disease worldwide so must remain a priority health promotion issue internationally. Malaysia is a Muslim country and alcohol-related harm was not seen as a priority until recently, because it only affects a minority of the population. Sabah has more than 30 different ethnic groups, and alcohol has a traditional role in the cultural practices of many of these groups. In 2009, the Intervention Group for Alcohol Misuse (IGAM) was formed, under the umbrella of Mercy Malaysia by a group of healthcare workers, academics, members of the Clergy and people who were previously alcohol-dependent concerned about the harmful effects of excessive alcohol consumption. IGAM in collaboration with other bodies have organized public seminars, visited villages and schools, encouraged the formation of a support group and trained healthcare professionals in health promotion intervention. The focus later changed to empowering communities to find solutions to alcohol-related harm in their community in a way which is sensitive to their culture. A standard tool-kit was developed using WHO materials as a guide. Village committees were formed and adapted the toolkit according to their needs. This strategy has been shown to be effective, in that 90% of the 20 committees formed are actively and successfully involved in health promotion to reduce alcohol-related harm in their communities.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0957-4824",
doi="10.1093/heapro/dav090",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/heapro/dav090"
}