TY  - JOUR
T1  - Civil Society Organizations and Alcohol Policy Advocacy during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Six African Countries
A1  - Mikhail S. Ivanov
A1  - Elena P. Smirnova
A1  - Dmitry A. Volkov
JF  - International Journal of Social and Psychological Aspects of Healthcare
JO  - Int J Soc Psychol Asp Healthc
SN  - 3108-4818
Y1  - 2023
VL  - 3
IS  - 1
DO  - 10.51847/tVtQGPnJvB
SP  - 197
EP  - 202
N2  - Variations in alcohol use worldwide and the range of policies enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) and community-based interventions in shaping alcohol control measures. This paper explores how CSOs acted at both local and national levels to protect communities and influence alcohol policies in six African countries during the pandemic. We conducted a cross-sectional survey emailed to CSOs involved in alcohol prevention, advocacy, and policy work in Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. Nineteen staff members from these CSOs responded to the questionnaire between February and March 2022. This study focuses on analyzing their reported activities and contributions during the pandemic. All 19 respondents, covering the six countries, were included in the analysis. CSOs primarily engaged in: (i) direct advocacy and lobbying, (ii) public education campaigns via media, and (iii) pandemic-related legal and regulatory interventions. Considering the heavy burdens governments faced during COVID-19, the involvement of CSOs is increasingly critical for advancing alcohol control strategies and public health initiatives in Southern Africa. To maximize their impact, CSOs should have formal roles in developing, debating, and implementing public health policies.
UR  - https://smerpub.com/article/civil-society-organizations-and-alcohol-policy-advocacy-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-evidence-from-1vc0mvtvb94m03u
ER  -