Alcohol use and the Turkish-Kurdish community: a thematic analysis

Drinking alcohol to excess has been identified as a problem in the Turkish-Kurdish community in Hackney, East London. Whilst NHS services work to be inclusive, with the use of interpreters for example, there are still barriers, preventing this population from seeking help, which need to be explored and further understood. The single piece of research identifying the needs of the Turkish-speaking community in Hackney made recommendations for a more culturally appropriate care package, a more balanced range of effective therapies, and a more active role for BME community members in the training of health-care professionals.
This study aimed to understand more about alcohol use in the Turkish-Kurdish community by collating the opinions and experiences of members of the community and the health-care professionals that work with them. Three focus groups were conducted: one with men only, one with women only, and one with health-care professionals only (mixed gender). A total of thirteen participants contributed to this research. Analysis was conducted within a critical realist epistemology using thematic analysis.
Three main themes were identified: explanations for drinking, impact of drinking and help-seeking. Participants identified personality type, stress and culture as relevant to why an individual drinks alcohol. The impact of drinking was described as predominantly harmful, but positive accounts of drinking were also given. The findings suggest a need for NHS services to offer further support in helping the community to access services for alcohol treatment, but also to work alongside the community in creating more culturally appropriate services and to help reduce stigma associated with seeking help. A need to address wider societal concerns, such as unemployment, was also deemed important by the participants when considering factors that influence drinking alcohol. Future research might investigate how the impact of gender roles on help-seeking can be addressed in service provision planning.