Manandhar Naresh, Shrestha Marina Vaidya, Joshi Sunil Kumar
Department of Community Medicine, Kathmandu Medical College, Sinamangal, Kathmandu, Nepal.
JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc. 2017 Jul-Sep;56(207):293-7.
Alcohol causes several health problems, economic and social consequences across the world. Nepal is a multicultural and multi-ethnic country with an ambivalent regarding alcohol use according to social, religious and cultural values. Alcohol use is very common and easily available everywhere in Nepal. Objective of study is to find the prevalence of alcohol consumption and knowledge of alcohol among people at Bhimtar.
A cross sectional study was conducted on a total of 369 households, age above 20 years of Bhimtar, Sindhupalchowk district on November 2016. Total 41 households were selected using cluster sampling from all nine wards of Bhimtar village development committee.
The prevalence of alcohol consumption was 232 (62.9%) in which 144 (77.4%) of males and 88 (48.1%) of females. There was 3.3 times more chance of consuming alcohol in male than female. Majority 137 (37%) consumed Raksi followed by Jaand/Chhyang 115 (31.3% ) and mix 97 (26.4%). On knowledge of alcohol consumption, 280 (75.9 %) and 288 (78.0%) of current drinker opined that it would effects own health and on the family respectively. After drinking alcohol 118 (31.9%) felt it relieved tiredness followed by felt better 103 (28%) and reduced stress 70 (18.9%). It affects heart and damage liver said by 72 (19.4%) and 59 (16%) respectively. There were family conflict after drinking alcohol replied by 132 (35.8%). They have good knowledge about the affect of alcohol on pregnant women. Only 50 (13.5%) of respondent expressed that it can be given to pregnant women.
The prevalence of alcohol consumption was very high. There is markedly differed in alcohol consumption by sex. It is affecting their health and family. Consumption of alcohol is financial burden and makes conflict in the family, which will also make psychological affect on their children. There is significant difference in knowledge of harm on alcohol consumption by education status. It is essential to plan and develop a specific health education program among these at-risk populations for prevention of alcohol consumption.
