a Study of the Problems Faced by Alcoholism

| A STUDY OF THE PROBLEMS FACED BY ALCOHOLISM WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO KARUKUTTY PANCHAYATH SOCIAL PROJECTByPAUL SIMON 1.1 Statement of the problem1.2 Objective of the study1.3 Scope of the study1.4 Limitation of the study1.5 Plan of the report INTRODUCTION Alcohol has in the recent past become one of the major leading drug killers the world. Alcohol addiction refers to cases where a person feels a compulsive need to take alcohol to help his or body system to perform its normal tasks. A person is said to be addicted to alcohol when he or she cannot contain or limit alcohol drinking and any such attempts leads to withdrawals symptoms such as shakiness, anxiety and nausea. In the past, only “hard” drugs like cocaine, mantras and heroine were thought to be hazardous to the health of an individual. However in the recent past, tobacco, caffeine and alcohol have also been categorized as drugs. These are usually used by many individuals around the world thus meaning that most of the people in the world are exposed to drugs regularly. However, these drugs are used in moderation by a majority of these people thus reducing any forms of negative effects which arises from drug abuse. Alcohol is very addictive and a major cause of different health hazards to an individual. Alcohol addiction has also been attributed as a leading cause of family breakups and divorce especially in the western countries. Family addiction to alcohol especially by the parents has dire consequences on marriage as well as the children. Alcohol addiction in families is the main cause of family breakups, divorce and poor academic performance of children as well…Alcoholism is a chronic and often fatal disease. It is a primary disorder and not a symptom of other diseases or emotional problems. The chemistry of alcohol allows it to affect nearly every type of cell in the body, including those in the central nervous system. After prolonged exposure to alcohol, the brain becomes dependent on it. The severity of this disease is influenced by factors such as genetics, psychology, culture, and response to physical pain.Alcoholism is a chronic illness marked by dependence on alcohol consumption. It interferes with physical or mental health, and social, family, or job responsibilities. This addiction can lead to liver, circulatory, and neurological problems. Pregnant women who drink alcohol in any amount may harm the fetus.Alcoholism, alcohol dependence, and alcohol abuse are associated with the following:  The only indication of early alcoholism may be the unpleasant physical responses to withdrawal that occur during even brief periods of abstinence. Alcoholics are preoccupied with drinking, deny their own addiction, and continue to drink even though they are aware of the dangers. Alcoholics may have blackouts after drinking and have frequent hangovers that cause them to miss work and other normal activities. Alcoholics might drink alone and start their drinking early in the day. Alcoholics periodically quit drinking or switch from hard liquor to beer or wine, but these periods rarely last. Severe alcoholics often have a history of accidents, marital and work instability, and alcohol-related health problems. Episodic violent and abusive incidents involving spouses and children and a history of unexplained or frequent accidents are often signs of drug or alcohol abuse. Alcoholism can develop insidiously, and often there is no clear line between problem drinking and alcoholism. Eventually alcohol dominates thinking, emotions, and actions and becomes the primary means through which a person can deal with people, work, and life.Definition of Alcohol Use and AbuseIn addition to alcohol dependence, alcohol use is defined by levels of harm that it may be causing. This information is useful to determine possible interventions at earlier stages. The following categories of alcohol use and abuse use a definition of one drink as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces (a jigger) of 90-proof liquor.Moderate Drinking: Moderate drinking, particularly red wine, appears to offer health benefits. Moderate drinking is defined as equal to or less than two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women. Hazardous (Heavy) Drinking: Hazardous drinking puts people at risk for adverse health events. People who are heavy drinkers consume: * More than 14 drinks per week, or four to five drinks at one sitting, for men * More than seven drinks per week, or three drinks at one sitting, for women * Frequent intoxicationHarmful Drinking: Drinking is considered harmful when alcohol consumption has actually caused physical or psychological harm. This is determined by: * Clear evidence that alcohol is responsible for such harm. * The nature of that harm can be identified. * Alcohol consumption has persisted for at least a month or has occurred repeatedly for the past year. * Certain people are at much higher risk for harmful drinking, such as older individuals with high blood pressure or those taking medications for arthritis or pain.Alcohol Abuse: People with alcohol abuse have one or more of the following alcohol-related problems over a period of 1 year: * Failure to fulfill work or personal obligations * Recurrent use in potentially dangerous situations * Problems with the law * Continued use in spite of harm being done to social or personal relationshipsAlcohol Dependence: People who are alcohol dependent have three or more of the following alcohol-related problems over a year: * Increased amounts of alcohol are needed to produce an effect * Withdrawal symptoms or drinking alcohol is used to avoid these symptoms * Drinks more over a given period than intended * Unsuccessful attempts to quit or cut down * Gives up significant leisure or work activities * Continues to drink in spite of the knowledge of its physical or psychological harm to oneself or others 1.1 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM The topic of the project is “A study on the problem faced by the Alcoholism with special references to Karukutty Panchayat” Alcohol abuse results in problems on various levels in society. In terms of health, alcohol abuse is not only an important risk factor for chronic disease, but it is also related to injuries. Social harms which can be related to drinking include interpersonal problems, work problems, violent and other crimes. The scope of societal costs related to alcohol abuse in principle should be the same for both economic evaluations and cost-of-illness studies. In general, economic evaluations report a small part of all societal costs. To determine the cost- effectiveness of an intervention it is necessary that all costs and benefits are included. The purpose of this study is to describe and quantify the difference in societal costs incorporated in economic evaluation and cost-of-illness studies on alcohol abuse. 1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY 1.2.1 GENERAL OBJECTIVESTo study the impact of alcoholism among the people in Karukutty Panchayat Ward v1.2.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES To study the impact of alcoholism To study the measures to overcome the alcoholic habits1.3 SCOPE OF THE STUDY The use and misuse of alcohol as a beverage is complicated by the particular significance which alcoholic beverages have in the life of many people. Already in primitive societies anthropological research has shown that alcohol consumption played a special role, such as that of providing group or tribe relief from tension on particular occasions, for instance after the harvest had been gathered in such community drinking occasions, for instance after the tribal leaders. The incorporation of use of alcoholic beverage into religious ritual, socialHospitality, ceremonial function and the accompaniment of festive occasions has given the alcoholic beverage a symbolic function in social life today. To this should be added the social Function performed by the alcoholic beverage- selling establishment, whether it is the French bistro, the English pub or the ubiquitous bar. Thus few people can escape making judgment on alcoholic beverages, that is to say, whether they wish to drink, how much is good for them, etc 1.4 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY Non co-operation from some of the respondents May be some information are wrong The time they give limited Illiteracy of the people1.5 PLAN OF THE REPORTCHAPTER 1:- Includes introduction about the topic, Statement of study, scope of the study, objectives of the study, Limitations of the study, plan of the study.CHAPTER 2:- Includes research methodology about the topic, what is mean by Includes research, Sampling, Sources of data, Tool and techniques, CHAPTER 3:- Includes Review of literature CHAPTER 4:- Includes Organizational Profile CHAPTER 5:- Includes Data Analysis and Interpretation CHAPTER 6:- Summary, Finding, Conclusion, Recommendation 2.1 What is meant by research methodology?2.2 Population2.3 Sampling2.4 Sources of data2.5 Tools of the study 2.1 WHAT IS MEANT BY RESEARCH METHDOLOGY * What does research methodology mean?Research methodology refers to the methods ONE takes during research. If a project requires research researcher probably need to dedicate a section of your written project to explaining what his research methodology will be. This should be detailed, so they need to keep track of all research throughout the project. * Different types of research methodologyThis is all the different ways you have carried out your research. You should try to think of some new and unique ways to conduct your research. Your original research methods may not get all the results you need but you can conduct a variety of experiments. You will be rewarded for thinking of original ideas but you should also use traditional research methods to ensure you collect sufficient and accurate data. Remember that your research must always be ethical and you if you have any participants involved in the research they must be aware of what they are doing. If you have a reason that your participants are not fully aware of all aspects of the experience, such as it may affect the results if they know what you are looking for, you must brief them in full afterwards and clearly outline this in your research methodology. * Interviews and questionnairesYou may have interviewed people to find answers. If you did interview people you should explain what types of people; if they were male or female, age, profession or from any particular demographic with any type of background. Were your questions structured or unstructured? You should explain how your interviewees gave their answers such as a one-word answer they thought of themselves or were they given multiple choice answers? Did you use leading questions or where the questions open to any answer?Research methodology refers to the analysis of principles of methods, rules and techniques. It involves the systematic study of methods which are applied to analyze a specific project or study. In order to make the research organized and to increase its reliability different methodologies are adopted. Research methodology involves the collection of theories, concepts or ideas, comparative studies to different approaches and individual methods which are conduced when a research work is performed.
Anonymous 2.2 POPULATION Population relates to the finite and infinite collection of the individuals. Population refers to a collection of human being. Demography is a sociological discipline which obtains study of human population. The population of the institution for the social project consists of 50 members. A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same specious and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define the population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals from other areas. Normally breeding is substantially more common within the area than across the border. In sociology, population refers to a collection of human beings. Demography is a social science which entails the statistical study of human populations. The article refers mainly to human population. 2.3 SAMPLING Sampling is a technique of inspecting or studying only a selected representative and adequate fraction of the population and after analyzing result of sampling data conclusion are drawn about the characteristics of the population the representative parts of population from which the data is called sampling.The sampling, and the rationale or justification for the decisions about this element of the design, are linked to the specific aims and research questions to be addressed by the study. The sampling plan specifies the characteristics of the population (e.g., research characteristics of interest, gender, age, ethnicity) from which the sample will be selected; the size of the sample; the inclusion/exclusion criteria; the representative nests of the sample to Its population; the specific procedures that will be used for recruiting the sample (and for retaining the sample if data will be collected at more than one point); and the procedures that will be used to determine the sample size. Other issues that need to be addressed include the data collection site, how participants will be identified and contacted, and who will recruit the participants and collect the data.There are many approaches used by investigators in determining sample size. Previous pilot studies or similar studies in the literature are two sources of information. Regardless of the approach used to determine sample size, the rationale and procedures need to be clearly described. It may be useful to think in parallel to power analysis in quantitative research. What is it about the nature of the questions, the data, and their analyses that helps determine the sample size? What previous studies inform the sample size? How specifically will the investigator know when the necessary sample size is reached? There are several other approaches to estimating sample size requirements a priori or in situations in which it is difficult to estimate the sample size. One approach is based on the concept of range, that is, the number of interviews, observations, and so forth that are needed to capture a representative view of the phenomenon under study. Another approach is based on the concept of redundancy or saturation, that is, the number of people who need to be interviewed, or observed, before no new data emerge, indicating that the boundaries of the phenomenon have been tapped. A third approach is based on the concept of stratification, that is, the number of categories along a single dimension (e.g., socioeconomic status) that need to be represented in the people interviewed. Implementation of any of these approaches requires that the criterion or principle for determining when an adequate sample has been achieved be specified in advance (e.g., the quality of the data, whether new information continues to be discovered). Whether, or when, the criterion has been met is often determined through concurrent, ongoing data collection and data analysis in which the substance and types of responses being obtained are monitored. One must also be aware of whether new codes continue to emerge. 2.3 SOURCES OF DATA Sources of data which they are collected can be of two types namely Primary and Secondary.Primary data Primary data are those collected by investigator himself for the first time. They are collected for a particular purpose and are original in nature. Advantages of a primary data are that they are truthful and further suit the purpose. But they have disadvantages also. In this study the Primary data collected by using interview schedules. The following methods of collecting of primary data are in common use1. Direct personal investigation2. Indirect oral investigation3. By schedules and questionnaires4. Local correspondents 1. Direct personal investigation: In this method the investigator collects the data personally. He has to meet people from whom data are to be collected. He has to be on the spot for conducting the enquiry.2. Indirect oral investigation: In this method the data are not collected directly from the person concerned but through indirect sources. Information is collected from third parties who are in touch with the facts under enquiry. Those persons are called witness. 3. By schedules and questionnaires: The success of the questionnaires method of collecting information depends largely on the proper drafting. The term questionnaires are usually used to refer to the form which an informant is expected to fill himself. A schedule is one which is handled by an interviewer who records the replies to questions in the questionnaires collected from the informants.4. Local correspondents: In this method data are not formally collected by enumerators. But they are collected by local correspondents. News paper generally adopts this method. There for this method can be applied only where a high degree of precision is not necessary. Secondary data Secondary data are those which have been collected by some other person for the purpose and published. So the investigator is said to make use of secondary data if he make use of data already compiled by other person. Secondary data are usually in the shape of finished products. Collection of Secondary data may be collected from published sources. 2.4 TOOLS OF THE STUDY Questionnaire Questionnaires are one of the most popular methods of conducting scholarly research. They provide a convenient way of gathering information from a target population. This will address most of the important issues related to written questionnaires 3.1 REVIEW OF LITERATURE Alcohol use on the rise in IndiaRaekha PrasadWith more than half of all alcohol drinkers in India falling into the criteria for hazardous drinking, alcohol abuse is emerging as a major public-health problem in the country. Raekha Prasad reports.India's reputation as a country with a culture of abstinence especially in matters regarding alcohol is underserved, say experts. The country, which has seen a rapid proliferation of city bars and nightclubs in recent years, is fast shedding its inhibitions about alcohol as a lifestyle choice.This situation has led to fears of an undocumented rise in alcohol abuse not only among poorer classes but also in sections of society that were previously considered dry. The health minister has recognized the scale of the problem—and has called for a policy that will regulate sales and the pricing of drink.Many experts say that although this move is welcome it may not be enough to curb the harmful effects of the rise in alcohol consumption in society. The increasing production, distribution, and promotion of alcohol has already seen drink-related problems emerging as a major public-health concern in India.Sales of alcohol have seen a growth rate of 8% in the past 3 years. Officially, Indians are still among the world's lowest consumers of alcohol—government statistics show only 21% of adult men and around 2% of women drink. But up to a fifth of this group—about 14 million people—are dependent drinkers requiring “help”.The concern, say experts, is that there has been a rapid change in patterns and trends of alcohol use in India. Chief among them is people are beginning to drink at ever-younger ages. The percentage of the drinking population aged less than 21 years has increased from 2% to more than 14% in the past 15 years, according to studies in the southern state of Kerala by Alcohol and Drugs Information Centre India, a non-governmental organization (NGO). Alarmingly, the study found that the “average age of initiation” had dropped from 19 years to 13 years in the past two decades. The centre points out that a “powerful international and domestic alcohol lobby” is purposely targeting young Indians. The local industry has introduced flavored alcohol drinks to attract previously non-drinking women and young men. Multinational companies have identified India with its vast unexploited markets as one of the world’s most sought after places for investment.Many alcohol adverts now feature spirited groups of young people having a good time. Although alcohol advertising is banned in the electronic and print media, surrogate advertising is rife, argues Monika Aurora, director of the NGO, Health Related Information Dissemination Amongst Youth Student Health Action Network. “Drinking water and apple juice is packaged by alcohol companies. It's all about getting young people to start early and be life-long consumers. Bollywood films now glorify alcohol where the good guys drink.”The shifting composition of Indian drinkers has seen a rise in the number of Indian women drinking regularly and heavily. One recent study in the southern state of Karnataka found young women consumed similar amounts of alcohol to young men on any typical drinking occasion.What is of particular concern—and an important indicator of health risks—is that the signature pattern of alcohol consumption in India is frequent and heavy drinking. More than half of all drinkers fall into the criteria for hazardous drinking, which is characterized by bingeing and solitary consumption to the point of intoxication. Moreover, spirits account for 95% of the beverages drunk in India.Another problem for policy makers is the fact that two thirds of the alcohol drunk in India is unrecorded because it is either illicit local home brew or has been smuggled into the country. Employers in poor, marginalized communities sometimes pay wages in alcohol rather than cash, according to WHO. The hazards of spurious liquor can be fatal, with frequent reports of death, disability, and hospitalizations resulting from its consumption across the country. One barrier to developing a national alcohol policy for India, experts say, is the woeful lack of data and research on its national health, social, and economic effect. What is known is that alcohol-related problems account for more than a fifth of hospital admissions; 18% of psychiatric emergencies; more than 20% of all brain injuries and 60% of all injuries reporting to India's emergency rooms. The role of alcohol in domestic violence is substantial: a third of violent husbands drink, according to a WHO study in 2004. Most of the violence took place during intoxication. There is evidence even to suggest that the poor are beginning to drink more than they earn—a deadly spiral of alcohol and debt. One recent study by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in households of rural, urban, town, and slum populations of 28 500 people in and around the city of Bangalore, Karnataka, found that the average monthly expenditure on alcohol of patients with alcohol addiction is more than the average monthly salary.Although the Indian constitution includes the prohibition of alcohol among its directive principles, alcohol policy is devolved to individual states—as is the levying of taxes on it. Since most states derive around a fifth of their revenue from alcohol taxation—the second largest source after sales tax—they are generally ambivalent towards stemming its flow. Moreover, there is a long history in India of a powerful alcohol lobby with industry figures influencing the political process, both in the form of party donations and as representatives. But experts argue that Indian society is losing considerably more than it gains. “Because of the political expediency surrounding prohibition, what is not being looked at is demand reduction strategies”, says Vivek Benegal, one of the authors of the report and assistant professor of psychiatry at NIMHANS.Using their findings in the Bangalore study, researchers from NIMHANS have calculated that the direct and indirect costs attributable to alcohol addiction is more than triple the profits of alcohol taxation and several times more than the annual health budget of Karnataka. Extrapolating their findings to the whole of India they estimate the total alcohol revenue for 2003—04 of 216 billion rupees falls 28 billion rupees short of the total cost of managing the effects of alcohol addiction. These included the tangible costs of health care, occupational, financial, social, and legal factors. The official response to India's problem remains focused on those in acute needs rather than on prevention. This situation means that official policy concentrates on just the 4% of the alcohol-dependent adult male population—and ignores the 20% of the population who are “at risk” of serious alcohol abuse.Experts argue that government thinking on how best to mitigate the risks for alcohol is 20 years behind that of tobacco. Under its National Drug De-addiction Programme, the Government of India has funded 483 detoxification and 90 counseling centers. Almost half of attendees are being treated for alcohol dependency. But the success of the programmes is low and states fail to adequately fund them, health professionals say. Doctors working with addicts in government hospitals report a “complete lack” of non-pharmacological care and training. “Once we've treated them there's no social worker or clinical psychologist to refer them to so we just send them to AA (Alcoholics Anonymous)”, says Smita Deshpande, a senior psychiatrist working in a Delhi state hospital.The problem is that the treatment of alcoholism is a low priority in Indian's health sector, says Rajat Ray, professor and chief of the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre at All India Institute of Medical Sciences. (AIIMS). Just 600 doctors have been trained to treat alcohol abuse in the past decade. “It's seen as deviant behaviors among most doctors: a hopeless situation that is unrewarding to treat and so there's no motivation or financial incentive on doctors to work in this field”, Ray says.To address this, the Indian Government has set a target to train, via AIIMS, 1000 doctors, as many paramedics, and 500 nurses to specialize in alcohol-abuse treatment in the next 4 years. Once trained, the plan is to deploy them across India's 560 district hospitals to increase access to treatment. Ray and his team are currently piloting three district training projects in Madhya Pradesh, Assam, and Uttar Pradesh.There is, however, a growing lobby urging the health ministry to act. Indian Alcohol Policy Alliance, an NGO aiming to prevent alcohol-related harm through evidence-based policy intervention, says that the key is to break the stranglehold of state revenue departments who see increasing consumption of alcohol as a boon to treasury coffers. It is pressing the ministry of health, headed by a minister who has advocated prohibition in certain states, to take a lead in passing a law that privileges public health over tax receipts. The lack of a national alcohol policy creates “a very difficult situation” for health professionals working to tackle alcoholism, Ray says. Discussions are taking place, but an actual policy, he says, “is still in a formative state”.Alcohol is Destroying Kerala April 15, 2010 by alaiwahPeople in the southern state of Kerala are the heaviest drinkers in India, and sales of alcohol are rising fast. One Jacob Varghese says he began drinking when he was nine years old, sipping on his father’s unfinished whisky and brandy in glass tumblers. It’s a terrifying story of a descent into alcoholism for this 40-year-old health inspector. At school, he consumed cheap local liquor. He lived in a haze of alcohol through his teens and dropped out of college. He lost a job, cut his wrists twice trying to end his life, landed up in rehabilitation centers and at the age of 32, was reduced to begging on the streets to fund his alcohol habit. “Drinking is a disease in Kerala,” he says, his voice dropping to a whisper.“I lost my kin, my respect and all my money chasing alcohol. Everyone encourages you to have it – your friends, the government.” This was before he was dragged to the local Alcoholics Anonymous chapter by friends. This, after 17 years of drinking had reduced him to a mental wreck and a pauper. Mr. Varghese has been sober for the past eight years, and is now married with children and holds down a job. “Many of my friends have not been as lucky. So many of my drinking buddies died, and others landed up in mental asylums,” he says. Kerala is India’s tippler country. It has the highest per capita consumption – over eight liters (1.76 gallons) per person a year – in the nation, overtaking traditionally hard-drinking states like Punjab and Haryana. Also, in a strange twist of taste, rum and brandy are the preferred drink in Kerala in a country where whisky outsells every other liquor. Alcohol helps in giving Kerala’s economy a good high – shockingly, more than 40% of revenues for its annual budget come from booze. A state-run monopoly sells alcohol. The curiously-named Kerala State Beverages Corporation (KSBC) runs 337 liquor shops, open seven days a week. Each shop caters on average to an astonishing 80,000 clients. This fiscal year the KSBC is expected to sell $1bn (£0.6bn) of alcohol in a state of 30 million people, up from $12m when it took over the retail business in 1984. Similarly, revenues from alcohol to the state’s exchequer have registered a whopping 100% rise over the past four years. The monopoly is so professionally run that consumers can even send text messages from their phones to a helpline number to record their grievances.“If we delay opening any of our shops by even five minutes, clients send us text messages saying that they are waiting to buy liquor,” says KSBC chief. That’s not all. There are some 600 privately run bars in the state and more than 5,000 shops selling toddy (palm wine), the local brew. There is also a thriving black market liquor trade. Spirited defense Despite a growing number of people who demand a ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol, there is an equally spirited group of hard-core drinkers who lobby for cheaper and more widely distributed liquor. One of them is well-known actor N,L. Balakrishnan, a veteran of more than 200 films, who launched a lobby group called Forum for Better Spirit in 1983. The forum’s manifesto asks the government to provide liquor through the state-subsided public distribution system, boost toddy production, slash prices for elderly drinkers and supply free alcohol to drinkers over 90. The jolly and convivial Mr. Balakrishnan, 67, says his father “initiated” him into drinking when he was four. “We used to go to the cinema together. After the show was over, he would take me to a toddy shop where he would drink. He would give me a few spoons of toddy too. It was an amazing experience,” he says. He says when his father died at the ripe age of 98 after a “lifetime of heavy drinking”, he wet his lips with liquor and not holy water, as is the Hindu custom. Mr. Balakrishnan says that on his average day out with his drinking buddies he downs 22 shots of his favorite brandy – and “never has any problems”. ”If you have willpower and have enough food to go with your drink, booze will never harm you,” he says cheerily. But drinking is killing a lot of people and exacting a heavy social cost, say doctors and activists.Rising numbers of divorces in Kerala are linked to alcohol abuse. The Alcohol and Drug Information Centre, a leading NGO, puts the figure as high as 80%. And the majority of road deaths in the state – nearly 4,000 during 2008-2009 – are due to drink driving. Hospitals and rehab centers are packed with patients suffering from alcohol-related diseases. ‘Societal problem’The situation is so grim that, ironically, the KSBC itself is planning to open a hospital specializing in treating alcohol-related problems. It also runs a campaign to combat alcohol abuse.But why do people in Kerala drink so heavily? It is a “societal problem” – what he possibly means is that drinking liquor is almost a social rite of passage, taken seriously. There are also other important, reasons – high unemployment, easy access to alcohol and the fact that drinking has become a “part of upwardly mobile living”. Most activists believe that “prohibition” is not the solution – it just drives buyers and sellers underground.The solution possibly lies in introducing drinks with mild alcohol content. And since drinking is also a cultural problem, people need to be made aware of the havoc that alcohol can wreak on their lives. Until then alcohol will continue to dominate the lives of many of Kerala’s people – and boost its exchequer’s finances. 4.1 Organisational profile 4.1 PROFILE OF KARUKUTTY PANCHAYATH Karukutty PanchayatKarukutty is a village panchayat in Ernakulum district of Kerala, India. Classified as a Grade A panchayat, Karukutty comprises 17 wards and falls under Angamaly block panchayat in Aluva taluk. It is part of Angamaly Assembly constituency and Chalakudy Parliament constituency.History Located on the southern border of the erstwhile Cochin kingdom, Karukutty has been influenced by the cultures of both Travancore and Cochin kingdoms and has been cited in ancient Portuguese records. Remnants of an old fort, referred to locally as Kottathendu, can be seen here. The fort - Nedumkotta was built jointly by the Travancore and Cochin kingdoms to resist invasions by Tipu Sultan. Numerous other artifacts and vessels used by natives to store their treasures and valuables have also been excavated. There is a popular saying that goes "Karukutty kandaal maru kutty venda. It roughly translates to "If you have reached Karukutty, then you need not go looking elsewhere" – a sign of the self-sufficient and prosperous nature of the locality. The name itself literally translates to dark woodlands, suggesting the dense vegetation that covered this region till the 12th century. Administration and Local Self GovernmentKarukutty panchayat was formed on 28 December 1961. The village was originally part of Kunnathunadu taluk, Kottayam district and later became part of Aluva taluk when Ernakulum district was formed on 1 April 1958. P V Ouseppukutty Pynadath became the first president of the panchayat in 1961. After the elections in 1964, an eight member administrative council took charge under the leadership of P C Sani.Chronological list of presidents of Karukutty panchayat1. P. V. Joseph2. P. C. Sani3. Thomas Aikkareth Master (1980)4. C. T. Devassikutty (1988)5. Francis J. Pynadath6. P. J. Skaria7. Mary Antony8. James Palliyan9. P. V. Devassy10. P. T. AntonyGeographySpread over an area of 33.57 km² in central Kerala, the terrain is primarily of five types - plain land, valley, high land, sloped terrain and hilltops.BordersEast: Mookkannoor panchayat
North: Chalakudy River and Koratty panchayat
West: Parakkadavu panchayat
South: Angamaly municipalityMajor Localities Karayamparambu Munnoorppilly Palissery Edakkunnu Paduvapuram Besleham Panthackal Marangadam Moonamparambu Attara Azhakam Neerungal Palliyangadi Kappelappadi Companippadi Koventha Areekkal Maniyamkuzhi ParapuramWater SourcesAn 18 km long network of canals and creeks along with 27 public ponds and over 200 private tanks serve as the primary water source for the panchayat.Culture and CommunityThe panchayat has 9 libraries, of which, 2 of them are a grade libraries with more than 10,000 books.
Various social organizations such as NSS, SNDP, Mela Samskarika Vedi and KPMS along with many other Christian organizations contribute actively to the social and cultural enlistment of the region.Commerce and TransportKarukutty is situated on the northern edge of the Ernakulum district, bordering Thrissur. National Highway 47 runs from north to south along a 4 km stretch on the western side of the panchayat. The border also used to serve as a geographically centered Excise and Sales Tax check post for the state of Kerala. Karukutty has a railway station (Station code KUC) that serves hundreds of passengers traveling between their offices and homes on passenger train services running between Ernakulum and Shornur/Guruvayur. It is also a major stop over for long distance buses plying to locations such as Bangalore, with a choice of hotels and eateries lined along the highway.TourismKarukutty is blessed with bountiful natural resources and the numerous brooks flowing through lush greenery themselves provide an excellent tourist opportunity. Major destinations in the panchayat include Ezhattumugham Thumboormoozhi Dam The Hotel EleganceEducation and Healthe various socio-cultural communities that emerged in Karukutty, actively contributed to the development of many educational and medical institutions including, S. H. of St Mary's Lower Primary School Star Jesus High School St Joseph Girl's High School St Thomas Upper Primary School Government Upper Primary School, Palissery O. L. P. H. Upper Primary School, Edakkunnu Naipunnya Public School, Paduvapuram Adam Public School, Karayamparambu SCMS School of Engineering & Technology, Vidya Nagar, Paduvapuram Alphonsa Hospital Government Dispensary, Palissery Stella Maris Hospital, PaduvapuramReligion and Pilgrimage A majority of the population of this village are Christians. The first church in Karukutty, St. Xavier Church, was established in 1829 and this paved way for the development of numerous other churches and parishes across the village. Traditional Christian culture and beliefs are an integral part of the village. Syrian Roman Catholicism is numerically the largest Christian denomination in this village. Over time, the number of other Christian denominations such as Jacobites and Marthoma Protestants are increased due to migration. There is also significant number of Hindu believers and a small yet important Muslim community that peacefully co-exists here, each faithful to their respective beliefs and customs.Between November and February, the village turns colorful with festivals, feasts and processions of the various communities that reside here. These festivals serve to unite the various denominations, across barriers of community, religion and culture.Major religious centers in Karukutty include St Xavier Forane Church Christ the King Monastery Assisi Shanti Kendra Claretian Provincial House and Renewal Center St Joseph Church, Cable Nagar St Mary Church, Moonamparambu Holy Ghost Church, Sehionpuram St Joseph Church, Besleham St Mother Theresa Church, Panthakkal St Anthony Church, Edakkunnu St Alphonsa Church, Attara St Jude Church, Attara Sacred Heart Convent (Established in 1899 by the Carmelite sisters) St George Church, Calvary, Munnoorppilly St Joseph Church, Karayamparambu  St George Jacobite Church, Karayamparambu Holy Family Church, Thabore St Sebastian Church, Palissery St Paul's Priest Home, Edakkunnu Onjadam Bhagavati Temple Chirakottu Bhagavati Temple Unnimadom Temple, Karayamparambu Cherupillikkavu Bhagavathi Temple Chalappuram Sri Krishnaswamy Temple Krishnapuram Sri Krishnaswamy Temple Data analysis and interpretation Analyzing survey data is an important and exciting step in the survey process. It is the time that you may reveal important facts about your customers, uncover trends that you might not otherwise have known existed, or provide irrefutable facts to support your plans. By doing in-depth data comparisons, you can begin to identify relationships between various data that will help you understand more about your respondents, and guide you towards better decisions. Often find data analysis the most enjoyable part of carrying out an epidemiologic study, since after all of the hard work and waiting they get the chance to find out the answers. If the data do not provide answers, that presents yet another opportunity for creativity! So analyzing the data and interpreting the results are the “reward” for the work of collecting the data. Data do not, however, “speak for themselves”. They reveal what the analyst can detect. So when the new investigator, attempting to collect this reward, finds him/her alone with the dataset and no idea how to proceed, the feeling may be one more of anxiety than of eager anticipation. As with most other aspects of a study, analysis and interpretation of the study should relate to the study objectives and research questions. One often-helpful strategy is to begin by imagining or even outlining the manuscripts to be written from the data. The usual analysis approach is to begin with descriptive analyses, to explore and gain a “feel” for the data. The analyst then turns to address specific questions from the study aims or hypotheses, from findings and questions from studies reported in the literature, and from patterns suggested by the descriptive analyses. Before analysis begins in earnest, though, a considerable amount of preparatoryBar chart A style of chart used by some technical analysis, on which, as illustrated below, the top of the vertical line indicates the highest price a security traded at during the day, and the bottom represents the lowest price. The closing price is displayed on the right side of the bar, and the opening price is shown on the left side of the bar. A single bar like the one represents one day of trading.Pie chart Pie chart (or a circle graph) is a circular divided into sectors, illustrating relative magnitudes of frequencies. In a pie chart, they are length of each sector (and consequently its central angle and area), is proportional to the quantity it represents. Together, the sectors create a full disk. It is named for its resemblance to a pie which has been sliced. Table1. Occupation of respondents Occupation | Number of responders | Percentage | Employment | 38 | 76 | Unemployment | 7 | 14 | Student | 5 | 10 | Total | 50 | 100 | INTERPRETATION From the table it is clear that 76% of the respondents are employed. And 14% are Unemployment. Then 10% are Students. Because the employers are the alcoholics they have income. Students they have to get money from parents also the unemployers. Table2. Marital Status Family | Number of Respondents | Percentage | Single | 20 | 40 | Married | 30 | 60 | Total | 50 | 100 | INTERPRETATION 60% of the Respondents are from married family. Only 40% have bachelor. Here we can say that married men have so many problems in their life so they using alcohol. Single men are using alcohol for company or celebrations. Table3. Reason to start alcoholic consumption Reason | Number of respondents | Percentage | Time pass | 10 | 20 | Hero Worship | 3 | 6 | Just for Interest | 7 | 14 | Company Sake | 30 | 60 | Total | 50 | 100 |
INTERPRETATION 60% of the people respondent starts consumption for Company sake, 20% of them respondent starts consumption for just Time pass, 14% starts alcohol for just an interest, 6% starts for Hero worship. Friends Company making a man addicted to alcohol once he use for company then he can’t stop continuing that.Table4. Prefer of alcohol Prefer | Number of Respondents | Percentage | Brandy | 35 | 70 | Rum | 5 | 10 | Whisky | 10 | 20 | Total | 50 | 100 | INTERPRETATION 70% of the respondents Brandy for their consumption, 20% and 10% of them prefer Rum and Whiskey. We can say that whiskey’s too expensive so men’s try to avoid, but the rum we can get that cheap rate that’s the reason more people’s using rum. Table5. Frequency of consumption Frequency | Number of respondents | Percentage | Continuous consumption | 5 | 10 | Once a day | 0 | 0 | Occasionally | 45 | 90 | Total | 50 | 100 | INTERPRETATION 90% consume occasionally, 10% are continues drinkers, 0% consume once a day. Table6. Benefits of alcoholic consumption Benefits | Number of respondents | Percentage | Decrees tension | 25 | 50 | Increase social circle | 15 | 30 | Getting new ideas | 10 | 20 | Total | 50 | 100 |
INTERPRETATION 50% of the respondent said that alcoholic habit Decrees tension. 30% have the opinion that alcoholism Increase social circle. Remaining people get new ideas from alcoholic consumption. When a man gets in trouble he use the alcohol to relief from it, some other mans use to get new ideas. Table7. How long have been using alcohol Time | Number of respondents | Percentage | Below 3 year | 5 | 10 | 3-6 years | 10 | 20 | Above 6 years | 35 | 70 | Total | 50 | 100 | INTERPRETATION 70% of the people have been consuming more than 6 years. 20% is between 3 and 6 years. 10% having just started consumption. Table8. Amount spent for alcohol per month Amount | Number of respondents | Percentage | Below 50 Rs | 8 | 16 | Rs 50-100 | 27 | 54 | Above Rs 100 | 15 | 30 | Total | 50 | 100 | INTRPRETATION 54% Spent up to 100 rupees and 30% Spent above 100 rupees. 16% of the respondents spent Below 50 rupees for consumption of alcohol. Table9. Source of money Source | Number of respondents | Percentage | Parent | 5 | 10 | Borrowing | 0 | 0 | Stealing | 0 | 0 | Own money | 45 | 90 | Total | 50 | 100 |
INTERPRETATION From the table it is clear that 90% of the respondents have their own money. 10% of the respondents get money from their parents. The men’s are always use his own money to get drunk. Table10. Awareness of family about the respondent alcoholic habit Awareness | Number of respondents | Percentage | Yes | 20 | 40 | No | 30 | 60 | Total | 50 | 100 | INTERPRETATION 60% of the families don’t know the alcoholic habit of the respondents. Because drunkards inviting more troubles to home and society. Table11. Family members those who have alcoholic habit Family members | Number of respondents | Percentage | Father | 10 | 20 | Brother | 15 | 30 | Grant father | 5 | 10 | No body | 20 | 40 | Total | 50 | 100 |
INTERPRETATION From the table it is clear that 20% of respondents Father have alcoholic habit. 30% of the respondents Brothers have alcoholic habit. 40% of respondent’s family members do not have alcoholic habit. Table12. Friend’s attitude towards the respondent’s alcoholic habit Attitude | Number of respondents | Percentage | Encourage | 25 | 50 | Discourage | 8 | 16 | No opinion | 17 | 34 | Total | 50 | 100 | INTERPRETATION 50% of people encourage their friends to consume. 34% have No opinion about their friend’s alcohol habit. Only 16% discourage their friends. Friends are the giving support to get drunken reason is party, company, etc. More others are have no opinion for friends habit. Table13. Do respondents compel their friends consume alcohol Response | Number of respondents | Percentage | Yes | 17 | 34 | No | 33 | 66 | Total | 50 | 100 | INTERPRETATION 66% do not compel their friends to consume. 34% of the respondents compel their friends to consume. Table14. Do respondents having problems in the work place due to alcoholism Problem | Number of respondents | Percentage | Yes | 4 | 8 | No | 46 | 92 | Total | 50 | 100 | INTERPRETATION92% of the respondents have no problem in the work place due to alcoholism. Only 8% have problem in the work place due to alcoholism. Table15. Respondents who knows the bad effect of alcohol Opinion | Number of respondents | Percentage | Yes | 48 | 96 | No | 2 | 4 | Total | 50 | 100 | INTERPRETATION96% of the respondents know the bad effect of alcohol and 4% do not know the bad effects completely. In 90% of alcoholic addicts they know side effect of alcohol but they can’t stop it. Table16. Any attempt to stop consumption is taken up Attempts | Number of respondents | Percentage | Once | 10 | 20 | More than once | 15 | 30 | No stop | 25 | 50 | Total | 50 | 100 | INTERPRETATION50% of the respondents do not try to stop consumption. 20% of them stopped once. 30% of them stopped more than once. Once he addict to alcohol he have to try very hard to overcome it. Table17. Respondent’s participation in drug awareness program Participation | Number of respondents | Percentage | Yes | 0 | 0 | No | 50 | 100 | Total | 50 | 100 | INTERPRETATIONNobody participate in drug awareness program. In modern world who have the time to here the class. Drunkards never think the afterlife for this. Table18. Reason to continue consumption Reason | Number of respondents | Percentage | Lake of self control | 28 | 56 | Company sake | 18 | 36 | Habitual process | 4 | 8 | Total | 50 | 100 | INTERPRETATION56% of the respondents continue consumption due to lack of self control. 36% of them continue for company sake. 85 of them have alcohol is a Habitual process. Table19. Do responds ever drink before noon? Responds | Number of respondents | Percentage | Yes | 32 | 64 | No | 18 | 36 | Total | 50 | 100 | INTERPRETATION64% do drink before noon. 36% does not ever drink before. They all are use alcohol for sleeping it’s like a sleeping pills for them. Others keep their image from others. Table20. Respondents who knows ever been in a hospital because if your drinking Response | Number of respondents | Percentage | Yes | 0 | 0 | No | 50 | 100 | Total | 50 | 100 | INTERPRETATIONNobody admitted in hospital because of their drinking. Table21. Respondents who knows ever been arrested for drunk driving Response | Number of respondents | Percentage | Yes | 3 | 6 | No | 47 | 94 | Total | 50 | 100 | INTERPRETATION94% do not arrested for drunk driving. 6% arrested for drunk driving. Table22. Do responds ever try to limit your drinking to certain times of the day or to certain places? Response | Number of respondents | Percentage | Yes | 45 | 90 | No | 5 | 10 | Total | 50 | 100 |
INTERPRETATION90% responds ever try to limit your drinking to certain times of the day or to certain places. 10% responds are not trying to limit your drinking to certain times of the day or to certain places. They wants to stop it but they can’t they addicted for the alcoholics. Table23. Respondents who know gotten into fight when drinking Response | Number of respondents | Percentage | Yes | 2 | 4 | No | 48 | 96 | Total | 50 | 100 | INTERPRETATION96% respondents have do not fight when drinking. Only 4% respondents have fight when drinking. Table24. Respondents who know drinking ever created problem with you and your spouse Response | Number of respondents | Percentage | Yes | 2 | 4 | No | 48 | 96 | Total | 50 | 100 |
INTERPRETATION96% respondents are doing not created problems with you and your spouse. Only 4% respondents are created problem with you and your spouse. 6.1 FINDINGS1. Majority of respondents have got the habit of alcoholism.2. Most of the respondents start consumption for company sake and hero worship.3. Majority of respondents prefer brandy for consumption.4. Most of the people have been consuming for more than 6 years.5. Most of the respondents get money from their parents.6. Most of the families do not know the alcoholic habit of the respondent.7. Majority of the respondents family members have alcoholic habit8. Majority of respondents claimed that their friend’s attitude towards alcoholism is encouraging.9. Most of the people know the bad effects of alcoholism.10. Most of the respondents are not ready to stop consumption.11. Nobody participate in drug awareness programme.12. Most of the people have continued alcoholism due to lack of self control and for company sake.6.2 CONCLUTION The social project provided me lot of information about the adverse effects of alcoholism. The study was carried out in the fifth ward of Karukutty panchayat. This project points out the problems of alcoholism. It out the reason to start it. Most of the families do not know the respondents alcoholic habits. Majority of respondents are aware of the bad effect of alcoholism. But they can’t stop it. I hope this project would provide valuable information to future researcher and play an important role in the eradication of alcoholism. 6.3 SUGGETION 1. Awareness program should be conducted.2. There must be a good relationship between society and people. They should have a control over pocket money.3. Increase the level of punishments.4. Medias should not give inspiration to consume alcohol. They provide Awareness about the bad effects of alcoholism.5. Social authorities must take measure to see that people are not engaged in alcoholism, BIBLIOGRAPHY * Kai pernanen, Alcohol in human violence, Guilford press, 1991 * Articles in news paper * Www. alcoholism.com QUESTIONNAIRETOPIC: A project on the topic “A study on the problem faced by the Alcoholism with special references to Karukutty Panchayat Ward V”
Age : Below 25 25-30 30-50 Above 50Occupation :
Annual Income : Below 50,000 50,000-1,00,000 No income 1,00,000-1,50,000 Above 1,50,000 Marital Status : Single Married 1. Do you have the habit of alcoholism? Yes No 2. What is the reason to start alcohol consumption? Time pass Hero Worship
Just Interest Company Sake 3. What would you prefer for alcohol?
Whisky Brandy Rum 4. Frequency of consumption? Continues consumption once a day occasionally 5. What is the benefit of your consumption of alcohol? Decrease tension Increase social circle Getting new ideas 6. Times since the respondents have been using alcohol? Below 3 years 3-6 years above 6 years 7. Amount spent for alcohol per day? Below Rs.50 Rs.50-100 above Rs.100 8. What is the source of money? Parent Borrowing Stealing Own money 9. Do your family aware about your alcoholic habits? Yes No 10. Does any one of your family members have alcoholic habits? Father Brother Grandfather Nobody 11. What is your friend’s attitude towards your alcoholic habits? Encourage Discourage No opinion 12. Do you compel any one of your friends to consume alcohol? Yes No 13. Do you have any problem in the work place due to alcoholism? Yes No 14. Are you aware of the bad effects of alcohol? Yes No 15. Did you stopping your habit of alcoholism? Once More than once No stop 16. Did you participate in any drug awareness program? Yes No 17. What is the reason to continue alcoholism? Lack of self control Company sake Habitual process 18. Do you ever drink before noon? Yes No 19. Have you ever been in a hospital because if your drinking? Yes No 20. Have you ever been arrested for drunk driving or driving? Yes No 21. Do you ever try to limit your drinking to certain times of the day or to certain places? Yes No 22. Have you gotten into fight when drinking? Yes No 23. Has drinking ever created problems with you and your spouse? Yes No | |