South Africa has high levels of alcohol consumption, and the availability of alcohol outlets plays a significant role in shaping drinking patterns. Alcohol outlets are typically concentrated in specific small areas, and their density and trading hours can influence alcohol-related harm. Several studies have shown that greater outlet density and extended trading hours are linked to higher levels of alcohol consumption and associated harm. However, community-centred approaches to mapping these factors are less common, especially in low- to middle- income countries (LMICs) such as South Africa.
Leane Ramsoomar
Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council;
School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria
Aadielah Maker-Diedericks
Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance
Maureen Mtimkulu
Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council
Natashia Morris
Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance (SAAPA)
Ishen Seocharan
Health Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Centre, Biostatistics Research Unit, South African Medical Research
Council
Esnat Chirwa
Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council;
School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand
To test the feasibility of participatory mapping of alcohol availability, to map this availability and gain stakeholder and community views in selected South African communities.
This mixed-method study included desktop research to identify known data sources for licensed alcohol outlets; geo-location and mapping of alcohol outlets by local community mappers; and focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) with community representatives.
Alcohol outlets were densely distributed within residential areas, a large proportion of surveyed alcohol outlets were unlicensed, several had long trading times, many opening seven days a week in contravention of municipal by-laws. Spatial analysis showed marked variation in alcohol outlet density across zones, with several high-density hotspots. Outlet density per 1,000 population was substantially higher in Thembalethu than in Ga-Rankuwa. Community voices revealed that alcohol accessibility, long outlet trading times, outlet density, and poor licensing and enforcement contributed to alcohol’s ubiquitous availability.
Participatory, community-centred mapping is a feasible and valuable approach for mapping alcohol availability. Findings highlight high outlet density, widespread unlicensed and informal sales, and the need for stronger regulation and enforcement alongside community involvement in mapping, monitoring, and supporting alcohol regulations.
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