Singh Jeevan, Osman Samira, Baig Sarah, Murad Yousuf, Jalal Zahraa
School of Pharmacy, Institute of Clinical Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
Worcestershire Acute Hospital Trust, Woodrow Dr., Redditch B98 7UB, UK.
Pharmacy (Basel). 2025 Sep 18;13(5):136. doi: 10.3390/pharmacy13050136.
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality in England, with South Asians estimated to have a higher risk of CVD development compared to the general population. Harmful drinking is a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but little is known about drinking behaviours among South Asians, especially those aged 18-25. The objectives of this study were (i) to investigate the knowledge of the cardiovascular effects of harmful drinking among young South Asians aged 18-25, and (ii) to explore the perceptions of young South Asians towards the role of the pharmacist in supporting individuals with alcohol-related harm. Qualitative, in depth, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten young South Asians, around 30 min in length. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and then thematically analysed. Four superordinate themes emerged: (1) Culture Clash; (2) The Great Escape; (3) Cardiovascular Confusion; and (4) The Ambiguous Pharmacist. These themes highlighted a dichotomy between the drinking behaviours among different South Asian communities, a lack of knowledge regarding the cardiovascular consequences of harmful drinking and mixed views regarding pharmacists' role in supporting dependence. Participants acknowledged the prevalence of poor cardiovascular health among British South Asians, citing various types of dysfunction and possible causes; however, the effect of drinking specifically was not understood. Most participants would refer a young person struggling with dependence to a pharmacist and would be receptive to discussing drinking with one. However, few commented on any role outside of signposting to other services or healthcare providers. Greater cardiovascular health promotion is needed among South Asians, with an emphasis on the link between excess alcohol consumption and cardiovascular dysfunction. Furthermore, pharmacists must do more to promote greater awareness of the different ways in which alcohol dependence can be supported within the community to encourage young people seeking harm reduction to utilise those services as needed.
心血管疾病是英国主要的死亡原因之一，据估计，南亚人与普通人群相比，患心血管疾病的风险更高。有害饮酒是心血管疾病的一个关键风险因素，但对于南亚人的饮酒行为，尤其是18至25岁人群的饮酒行为，我们知之甚少。本研究的目的是：（i）调查18至25岁的年轻南亚人对有害饮酒的心血管影响的了解；（ii）探讨年轻南亚人对药剂师在支持有酒精相关危害的个人方面所起作用的看法。我们对10名年轻南亚人进行了定性、深入、面对面的半结构化访谈，访谈时长约30分钟。访谈进行了录音，逐字转录，然后进行主题分析。出现了四个上位主题：（1）文化冲突；（2）逃避现实；（3）心血管方面的困惑；（4）模棱两可的药剂师。这些主题突出了不同南亚社区饮酒行为之间的二分法，对有害饮酒的心血管后果缺乏了解，以及对药剂师在支持戒酒方面作用的看法不一。参与者承认英国南亚人心血管健康状况普遍较差，并列举了各种功能障碍类型及可能原因；然而，他们并不了解饮酒的具体影响。大多数参与者会将有戒酒困难的年轻人转介给药剂师，并愿意与药剂师讨论饮酒问题。然而，很少有人提及除了向其他服务机构或医疗服务提供者提供指引之外的任何作用。南亚人需要加强心血管健康促进工作，重点是过度饮酒与心血管功能障碍之间的联系。此外，药剂师必须做出更多努力，提高人们对社区内支持戒酒的不同方式的认识，以鼓励寻求减少危害的年轻人按需利用这些服务。
