Alcohol use among adult men and its impact on personal and family life: findings of a community-based cross-sectional survey and focus groups discussions from a low alcohol taxed region, Puducherry, India

Abstract

Background There is limited published literature on the impact of alcohol use among alcohol dependents and their family members. Objectives To find the factors associated with alcohol use and explore the impact of alcohol use on alcohol dependents and their family members. Methods A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 316 men aged above 18 years, and four focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted among alcohol dependents and their family members. A validated semi-structured questionnaire was used. Results The mean (SD) age of the study participants was 45.2 (15.1) years, and 276 of them (87.3%) were educated. The prevalence of alcohol use was found to be 38% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 32.8–43.4]. Older age [adjusted prevalence (APR) = 2.23 (95% CI = 1.17–4.27)], no formal education [APR = 1.20 (95% CI = 1.20–1.20)], rural residence [APR = 1.05 (95% CI = 1.05–1.05)], self-reported comorbidities [APR = 1.21 (95% CI = 1.21–1.21)], tobacco use [APR = 2.42 (95% CI = 1.98–2.97)] and individuals having a family history of alcohol use [APR = 2.42 (95% CI = 1.73–3.37)] were the factors associated with alcohol use. The family members of alcohol users suffer mainly mental, emotional and physical abuse. Abusive language used by the alcoholic father and family break-ups have an influence on children and in their schooling. Conclusions Prevalence of alcohol use in a low alcohol taxed region in India was high. The family members of alcohol users mainly suffer mental, emotional and physical abuse.

Scoping review of assessment tools for, magnitudes of and factors associated with problem drinking in population-based studies

“…Hazardous/harmful alcohol use, also known as harmful/hazardous drinking, probable AUD, risky alcohol use, high-risk drinking, or hazardous, harmful, or dependent alcohol use, was defined as a score of ≥8 on the AUDIT in most studies including studies conducted in New Zealand,53 Norway,55 Brazil,107 108 South Africa,61 101 India,109–112 Kenya,113 Uganda,114 Nepal,115 Ethiopia,63 116–118 Malaysia,89 Thailand90 119 and Suriname 60. This definition is in keeping with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended cut-offs for problem drinking on the AUDIT 17.…”

“…Likewise, AUD comprising AA, AD, hazardous, harmful or dependent alcohol use was reported by 31 of 52 LMIC studies, including South Africa,57 61 80 101 Sri Lanka,79 Ethiopia,50 51 59 63 116–118 China,122 Brazil,49 52 107 108 India,109–112 Kenya,113 Uganda,114 Nepal,115 Cambodia,58 Malaysia,89 Thailand,90 119 Suriname60 and Mozambique120 (online supplemental file 4, table). Either current or lifetime prevalence of any AUD ranged from 4.1% to 41.0% in the overall sample, from 14.5% to 66.6% in males and from 2.0% to 33.4% in females.…”

“…Furthermore, 19 out of 52 studies in LMICs found that age was associated with problem drinking. Some studies reported that older age was associated with alcohol use and different types of problem drinking,49 51 59 92 101–103 112–115 127 128 while others found that younger age was associated with problem drinking 58 61 92 96 117 126…”

“…In terms of socioeconomic and environmental indicators, only a couple of studies from HICs examined associations between problem drinking and factors like educational attainment,33 34 74 employment,69 being immigrants,72 lower39 or higher34 income, location33 34 or higher neighbourhood alcohol outlet density 40. Thirteen included studies from LMICs found that education was associated with problem drinking, with some studies finding that a lower educational level was associated with AA and heavy drinking 49 51 60 101 102 112 121 129. In contrast, others found that this association existed for higher educational levels 24 61 96 98 128.…”

Family Practice substance use disorder theme issue: commentary

“…Olickal et al 17 provide insight into the impact of alcohol use on family life in India. Such reports are crucial for our understanding of the magnitude and impact of alcohol use in different settings and parts of the world.…”