Alcohol Consumption Practices Amongst Adult Males in a Rural Area of Haryana
Medical Journal of Dr. D.Y. Patil University, Vol. 7, Issue 2, March-April 2014
5 Pages Posted: 22 Oct 2015
Date Written: June 12, 2015
Abstract
Objective: To assess alcohol consumption practices amongst adult males in a rural block area.
Materials and Methods: Using multi-stage random sampling frame, at least 12 households were identified from selected anganwadi centers (n=27), and one resident adult male from each household was interviewed in confidence using pre-designed, pre-tested, semistructured interview schedule after seeking informed consent. In households with more than one adult male respondent, the elder member was recruited. For operational purpose, a drinker was defined as a person who had consumed at least one alcoholic drink in 1 year immediately preceding the survey.
Results: A total of 345 adult males were covered with a mean age of 46.6 (±14.2) years. Nearly 64.6% had 5 years of schooling, 46.4% were farmers, 54.2% lived in joint family system and 59.7% had monthly family income up to Rs 10,000. Nearly 150 (43.5%) subjects had some correct knowledge regarding adverse effects of alcohol consumption. Of all the study subjects, 326 (94.4%) males had consumed at least one alcohol-based drink and of which 66.3% consumed country liquor. Nearly 239 (73.3%) drank at either their respective homes or their friends’ homes. Two hundred and eighty-one (86.2%) procured alcohol from a shop within the village; average expenditure per month was Rs 500-900 for 132 (40.5%) respondents; and 38.3% subjects did not consume any snacks with alcohol intake. Drinking had become a habit for 194 (59.5%) males; however, based on self assessment, 131 (40.2%) considered alcohol consumption as a problem and intended to stop drinking.
Conclusion: Within study limitations, high prevalence of alcohol consumption was noted in this study, which may not only eventually lead to health/ social issues but also adversely influence the younger generation for easy and early uptake of alcohol.
Keywords: Behavior, beverages, practices, social, health, awareness, liqour
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