KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEIVED SOCIOECONOMIC EFFECTS OF ALCOHOLISM AMONG RESIDENTS OF LAGWA COMMUNITY, ABOH MBAISE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF IMO STATE, NIGERIA

This study examined theknowledge and perceived socioeconomic effects of alcoholism among residents of Lagwa Community, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, Imo State. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised 2,500 adult residentsof Lagwa Community, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, Imo State. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation, while the hypotheses were tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) at a 0.05 level of significance.The findings revealed that residents of Lagwa Community possessed considerable knowledge of alcoholism, including its causes, health consequences, prevention, and treatment. The study also found that alcoholism was perceived to have significant economic effects, including poverty, reduced productivity, unemployment, financial hardship, increased healthcare expenses, and loss of income. Furthermore, alcoholism was perceived to have serious social consequences such as domestic violence, family instability, child neglect, crime, social conflicts, and reduced community security. The hypothesis testing revealed significant relationships between residents’ knowledge of alcoholism and their perception of economic effects, residents’ knowledge of alcoholism and their perception of social effects, and between perceived economic effects and perceived social effects of alcoholism. The study concluded that alcoholism remains a significant socioeconomic challenge affecting individuals, families, and community wellbeing in Lagwa Community. It recommended strengthened community awareness programmes, improved health education, and the establishment of support and rehabilitation services for individuals affected by alcohol dependence.