Findings from a Nationwide Study on Alcohol Consumption Patterns in an Upper Middle-Income Country

Abstract

Alcohol consumption is a risk factor for various diseases, especially non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and injuries. The reduction of the harmful use of alcohol is mentioned in Target 3.5 of the Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDG). This study aimed to determine factors associated with current alcohol drinking among Malaysians aged 15 years and above. Data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019, a cross-sectional nationwide survey using a two-stage stratified random sampling design, was used. Current alcohol drinking was defined as having consumed any alcoholic beverage in the past 12 months. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analysis were employed. The prevalence of current drinkers was 11.5%; 95% CI: 9.8, 13.5. The majority (65%) consumed alcoholic beverages in Category 2, which is mainly beer. Current drinkers consumed alcohol mostly once a month (59.0%), one or two drinks (71.1%), on a typical day. Most respondents had six or more drinks less than once a month (27.6%). Sex, age, ethnicity, education, employment, and smoking were found to be significantly associated with current alcohol drinking. Marital status, locality of residence, and household income were not significantly associated. Alcohol drinking is a problem among certain vulnerable groups and should be tackled appropriately.

A fiatal rendőrök alkoholfogyasztása és az alkoholhasználat motivációja

“…Globális szinten az alkoholfogyasztás jelenti a legkomolyabb közegészségügyi kockázatot (Barbería-Latasa-Gea-Martínez-González 2022, Roth et al 2018). Az alkoholhasználatnak ugyanis kiemelt szerepe van számos kórállapot, így különösen a nem fertőző betegségek és különböző típusú sérüléses balesetek kialakulásában (Robert Lourdes et al 2022, Poznyak-Rekve 2018. Világviszonylatban évente megközelítőleg három millió ember halála köthető az egészségkárosító magatartások e formájához (Murray et al 2020).…”

The efficacy of virtual reality exposure therapy for the treatment of alcohol use disorder among adult males: a randomized controlled trial comparing with acceptance and commitment therapy and treatment as usual

“…Among the ethnicity, Malaysian Chinese is more prevalent to consume alcohol ( 3 ). The NHMS 2019 in Malaysia reported a similar prevalence of alcohol consumption in the country at 11.5%, and Malaysian Chinese remained as the most prevalent ethnicity to consume alcohol ( 4 ).…”