Publication:

Prevalence of alcohol consumption among adults in urban field practice area NMC, Raichur, Karnataka, India

Background According to world health report, at least 10 thousand million people throughout the world regularly use alcohol. A WHO report indicates that alcohol use accounts for 3.2% of all global deaths and 4% of all global burden of diseases; it also accounts for 3.5% of all DALYs lost due to all causes. Profile of clients in addiction treatment centers in 23 states showed that alcohol was the first or second major drug of abuse in most of the states of India. Habitual alcohol use is another major lifestyle factor associated with ill health and a large number of serious diseases. Objectives of the study were to estimate the prevalence of alcohol consumption among adults in urban population.

Methods A cross sectional, community based study was undertaken over a period of one year from January 2013 – December 2013, in urban field Practice area of Navodaya Medical College. Study population was people aged 18-65 years residing in the urban field practice area of NMC. Sampling method was systematic random sampling. Statistical Analysis: Chi Square Test by using SPSS version 17.

Results Total participants in the study were 1751, comprised of 964 males and 787 females. current alcohol use 33.6% (male- 49.2%, female-14.4%). 32.78% of males and 12.57% females consumed alcohol since 20 years. 18.56% males and 1.90% females consumed for more than 20years. Majority 33.6% belonged to Class I, followed by 37.8% Class III and 36.0% Class IV.

Conclusions Nearly one third of subjects use alcohol among them nearly half of the men consumed alcohol. Usage of alcohol is more common in middle aged men.