Alcohol consumption among adults in Bangladesh: Results from STEPS 2010

Abstract

Background Alcohol use is a risk factor for the development of noncommunicable diseases. National data are needed to assess the prevalence of alcohol use in the Bangladeshi population. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence and patterns of alcohol use among men and women of rural and urban areas of Bangladesh. Additionally, predictors of ever alcohol use were also identified. Methods A nationally representative cross-sectional survey (STEPS 2010) was conducted on 9275 adults between November 2009 and April 2010. Participants were selected using multi-stage random cluster sampling. Data on several risk factors for noncommunicable diseases, including alcohol use, were collected by an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Results Among the total population, 5.6% (n = 519) reported to have ever drunk alcohol and 94.4% (8756) were lifetime abstainers; 2.0% (n = 190) of participants reported to have drunk alcohol within the last 12 months. Of these, 94.7% (n = 180) were men. Only 0.9% (n = 87) of the total population had drunk alcohol within the last 30 days and were categorized as current drinkers. Among current drinkers, 77.0% (n = 67) were defined as binge drinkers, having had at least one episode of heavy drinking in this time period; 92.0% (n = 80) were current smokers and 59.8% (n = 52) had either no formal education or less than primary school education. Ever alcohol use was more common among men, those who live in urban areas and smokers. Conclusion Alcohol use is low in Bangladesh; however, those who do use alcohol frequently binge drink, which is a public health concern. Targeted efforts should be made on these specific groups, to control and prevent the continued use of alcohol in Bangladesh.

Psychosocial and socio-environmental factors associated with adolescents’ tobacco and other substance use in Bangladesh

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Association between antenatal care visit and preterm birth: a cohort study in rural Bangladesh

“…However, the prevalence of these factors in pregnant women population in rural Bangladesh is extremely low, and therefore probably had no roles in the observed effect estimates. [37][38][39][40] Other factors such as stress, physical activity, indoor air pollution and exposure to toxic metals that were reported to increase the risk of preterm births remain unmeasured in the study. 41 Future studies should consider these factors to assess comprehensively the impact of ANC usage on preterm births.…”

Drug Addiction in Bangladesh: “A Consequence of Social Demoralization Rather Than Individual Flaws”

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