Hazardous substances in homemade alcohol in rural areas of Limpopo province, Republic of South Africa: a public health concern

The unsafe use of alcohol has now become one of the most vital risks to health. The study aimed at exploring and describing the concoctions of unsafe substances in the homemade alcohol in the rural areas. Explorative, descriptive and contextual designs were used. Purposive and snowball sampling methods were also used to select the 76 participants. Data was collected through interviews with brewers and consumers of the homemade alcoholic beverages. Thematic analysis was used. Findings indicate that foreign substances such as methylated spirits, brake fluids and battery acid were added to the homemade alcohol for commercial reasons in a way to address poverty and unemployment. The availability, accessibility, affordability and acceptability of the homemade alcohol influenced the drinking patterns. Further information is needed on the chemical composition of the homemade alcohol and its subsidiary social and health effects. It is recommended that practitioners across the disciplines in public health should carry awareness campaigns and community education on homemade alcohol.