The Czech AUDIT: Internal Consistency, Latent Structure and Identification of Risky Alcohol Consumption

Summary Aim The rates of HIV acquired through heterosexual contact are increasing in the Czech Republic. This study explored potential HIV risk associations with alcohol, illicit drugs and sexual behaviours among adults from a community-based sample attending gay- and non-gay venues in Prague. Methods Women attending bars, cafes and beer gardens in central Prague responded to the self-administered, time-site survey. Alcohol use was measured by the AUDIT-C and CAGE questionnaires. Sexual network structuring identified number, gender and coital frequency with current and recent sexual partners. Statistical analysis included central tendency, chi-square and logistic regression. Female participants (n = 124) ranged from 18 to 67 years of age (mean 29 years); 25% self-identified as non-heterosexual. Results We found alcohol to be the preferred drug of choice. Younger heterosexual women with new and casual sexual partners were more likely to use alcohol excessively. Women with children reported the least alcohol use. Sixty percent of the sample had never used condoms; condom-use was associated with longer relationship duration and discussions about HIV status with a sexual partner; non-use tended to occur among unmarried women with multiple male partners in short, serial sexual relationships. Women who sought HIV testing tended to be younger and more self-identified as non-heterosexual. Protective practices were rarely reported even when HIV transmission increases via heterosexual sexual partnering. Conclusion Further research is recommended regarding cultural and contextual influences on HIV risk behaviours among Czech women.

Section: Results Sample Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The CAGE screen (26) assessed alcohol abuse behaviours; a reference threshold of two or more positive responses established problematic consumption (27, 28). Both measures have previously been used in Czech-speaking populations (29, 30). …”

Section: Materials and Methods Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Time-Site Survey of Substance Use, Sexual Behaviours and HIV-Testing Practices among Women Attending Social Venues in Prague

Stemmler¹,

Hall²,

Prokopík³

et al. 2015

“…In the discussion on possible approaches, one of the most important diagnostic tools for questionnaires in the field of alcohol research is the WHO questionnaire Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) (20,21). It contains 10 questions; each of them is scored 0-4, so that the maximum possible score is 40.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alcohol Consumption in Population Aged 25-65 Years Living in the Metropolis of South Moravia, Czech Republic

Fiala¹,

Sochor²,

Klimusová³

et al. 2017

The results show a relatively high consumption of alcohol in the examined group. The recommended weekly limits were exceeded by only a small portion, but that consumption had a binge character. Conversion into a form allowing comparison with conventional national statistics shows a significantly lower consumption than these reported statements. Overall, men consume significantly more alcohol than women.

“…Hazardous and harmful patterns of alcohol consumption were assessed using the AUDIT screening questionnaire (7,8). Mean yearly alcohol consumption (in litres of pure ethanol) was calculated based on the typical frequency and quantity for each type of alcoholic beverage.…”

Section: Variables Examinedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alcohol Consumption and Marijuana Use in Young Adult Czechs

Csémy¹,

Sovinová²,

Procházka³

2012

Self Cite

SUMMARY Objectives:The main objective of the study is to explore associations between alcohol consumption and marijuana use in young adults and to discuss the opportunities for brief intervention.Methods: Face to face structured interviews were carried out with 2,221 young adult Czechs (mean age 29.9, sd. 5.8 years). 51.4% were males. Alcohol consumption was calculated using beverage specific quantity frequency method. Alcohol-related problems were assessed using the Czech version of the AUDIT. Frequency of marijuana use in the last twelve months was asked as well.Results: The overall alcohol consumption was 9.2 litres of pure alcohol per person and year. The last year prevalence of marijuana use was 21.8%. The use of marijuana positively correlated with the frequency of beer drinking (r=0.27), frequency of heavy episodic drinking [HED] (r=0.32) and with the summary score in AUDIT (r=0.39). Harmful or problem drinkers (AUDIT score ≥16) reported marijuana use more frequently than moderate drinkers (60% compared to 18.8%; OR=6.54; 95% CI = 4.7; 9.1). OR for marihuana use in heavy episodic drinkers was 4.3 (95% CI = 3.3; 5.6).Discussion: The results suggest that frequent HED and harmful drinking are closely associated with marijuana use in younger adults. Since marijuana use (including heavy use) is rather common in the Czech Republic, it would be recommendable to also extend screening and brief intervention to reduce the use of cannabis. The existing guidelines for brief intervention should be modified in order to cover marijuana consumption as well.