Alcohol abstinence and drinking among African women: data from the World Health Surveys

Abstract

BackgroundAlcohol use is increasing among women in Africa, and comparable information about women's current alcohol use is needed to inform national and international health policies relevant to the entire population. This study aimed to provide a comparative description of alcohol use among women across 20 African countries.MethodsData were collected as part of the WHO World Health Survey using standardized questionnaires. In total, 40,739 adult women were included in the present study. Alcohol measures included lifetime abstinence, current use (≥1 drink in previous week), heavy drinking (15+ drinks in the previous week) and risky single-occasion drinking (5+ drinks on at least one day in the previous week). Country-specific descriptives of alcohol use were calculated, and K-means clustering was performed to identify countries with similar characteristics. Multiple logistic regression models were fitted for each country to identify factors associated with drinking status.ResultsA total of 33,841 (81%) African women reported lifetime abstinence. Current use ranged from 1% in Malawi to 30% in Burkina Faso. Among current drinkers, heavy drinking varied between 4% in Ghana to 41% in Chad, and risky single-occasion drinking ranged from <1% in Mauritius to 58% in Chad. Increasing age was associated with increased odds of being a current drinker in about half of the countries.ConclusionsA variety of drinking patterns are present among African women with lifetime abstention the most common. Countries with hazardous consumption patterns require serious attention to mitigate alcohol-related harm. Some similarities in factors related to alcohol use can be identified between different African countries, although these are limited and highlight the contextual diversity of female drinking in Africa.

Adding Fuel to the Fire: Alcohol’s Effect on the HIV Epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa

“…Surveys of alcohol consumption, including all types of alcohol, may also be biased if participants underreport their alcohol consumption, due to stigma, gender roles, or religious beliefs. Groups for which alcohol consumption may be under-reported include women [7] and Muslims [5]. Persons with HIVon antiretroviral therapy (ART) may under-report their alcohol consumption in fear that the ART will be revoked [8].…”

Marital Satisfaction, Age and Alcohol Use during Pregnancy: An Empirical Study of Pregnant Women in Uyo Metropolis, Nigeria

“…The relevance of partner relationship, in terms of marital satisfaction has been implicated in spouses' psychological health; notably, depression, anxiety and alcohol abuse [13], physical health [14] and children's well-being [15]. In essence [16] and Temple, Fillmore, [17] independently confirmed, in their community surveys of smokers, drinkers and drug users, that marital dissatisfaction and change in marital and employment status do predict increased drinking among women.…”

“…The consumption of alcohol between younger pregnant women (between 15-30) and those above 30 years is also different (8.7 vs. 6.6). Younger women in their early years (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30) tend to drink more than their elderly counterparts during pregnancy. Table 2 reveals a significant difference in alcohol consumption between pregnant women who are satisfied in their marriages and their nonsatisfied counterparts {F (1,104)=4.70; p<0.05}.…”

Medical Sociology in Africa

“…Drinking is often a daily affair. Alcohol use is increasing among women across African countries (Martinez et al 2011). Alcohol-related morbidities include mental health disorders such as substance dependence and depression, and physical morbidities such as liver diseases and HIV infection (Hulka and Moorman 2008;Marmorstein 2009;Shuper et al 2010).…”