Baskaran Gayathri, V M Anantha Eashwar, T Stephen, S Meena Priya, Surathkumaar Hariharan, Latha Charu
Community Medicine, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, IND.
Preventive Medicine, Dr. MGR Educational and Research University, Chennai, IND.
Cureus. 2024 Aug 11;16(8):e66624. doi: 10.7759/cureus.66624. eCollection 2024 Aug.
Introduction Post-pandemic alcohol consumption is on the rise due to people starting to adapt themselves to the practice of consuming alcoholic beverages at home. In addition to the direct effects of intoxication and addiction, estimates suggest that alcohol contributes to approximately 20-30% of global cases of oesophagal cancer, liver cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, homicide, epilepsy, and motor vehicle accidents. In India, one-fifth of alcohol consumers were found to be alcohol dependent. The study was done with the primary objective of finding out the prevalence of alcohol dependence among alcohol users and exploring the reasons for alcohol dependence among alcohol users in an urban area of Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu. Methodology The study design is an explanatory sequential mixed-methods study. It was done among 624 adult male alcohol consumers in the Chennai district, selected by the cluster sampling method in a community setting. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was used to diagnose alcohol dependence. Using the purposive sampling method, in-depth interviews were conducted among 24 alcohol-dependent people to explore and understand their experiences, identify common themes, and provide insights into the problem. Quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), and qualitative data were analysed using deductive content analysis using Qualcoder software. Results The mean age of the study participants was 38±7 years. Among current alcohol consumers, 16.9% (106/624) were found to be suffering from alcohol dependence. The significant predictors of alcohol dependence were found to be unskilled occupation (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.09), having suicidal ideation (AOR = 2.4), alcohol consumption by family members (AOR = 1.90), depression (AOR = 3.98), drinking pattern-affected interpersonal relationships (AOR = 2.29), and not receiving health education about alcohol use in school/college (AOR = 1.74). The major themes and codes identified among alcohol dependents were factors related to mental health, physical health, and social factors. Conclusion This study provides essential points of reference for policymakers and primary care physicians to develop prevention strategies for people to understand and overcome the problem of alcohol addiction, and it also sheds light on the burden of alcohol dependence and their lived experiences.
引言
疫情后，由于人们开始适应在家中饮用酒精饮料的习惯，酒精消费量呈上升趋势。除了中毒和成瘾的直接影响外，据估计，全球约20%-30%的食管癌、肝癌、肝硬化、杀人、癫痫和机动车事故病例都与酒精有关。在印度，五分之一的饮酒者被发现对酒精有依赖。本研究的主要目的是了解泰米尔纳德邦钦加尔帕图区一个城市地区饮酒者中酒精依赖的患病率，并探讨饮酒者酒精依赖的原因。
方法
本研究设计为解释性序列混合方法研究。研究对象为钦奈地区624名成年男性饮酒者，采用社区整群抽样法选取。使用酒精使用障碍识别测试（AUDIT）来诊断酒精依赖。采用目的抽样法，对24名酒精依赖者进行深入访谈，以探索和了解他们的经历，识别共同主题，并深入了解该问题。定量数据使用社会科学统计软件包（SPSS）26版（IBM公司，纽约州阿蒙克）进行分析，定性数据使用Qualcoder软件进行演绎内容分析。
结果
研究参与者的平均年龄为38±7岁。在当前饮酒者中，16.9%（106/624）被发现患有酒精依赖。酒精依赖的显著预测因素包括非技术职业（调整优势比[AOR]=2.09）、有自杀意念（AOR=2.4）、家庭成员饮酒（AOR=1.90）、抑郁（AOR=3.98）、饮酒模式影响人际关系（AOR=2.29）以及在学校/大学未接受过酒精使用健康教育（AOR=1.74）。在酒精依赖者中确定的主要主题和编码与心理健康、身体健康和社会因素有关。
结论
本研究为政策制定者和初级保健医生制定预防策略提供了重要参考点，以帮助人们理解和克服酒精成瘾问题，同时也揭示了酒精依赖的负担及其生活经历。
