Abstract
BackgroundThere are limited data on levels of alcohol use in most sub-Saharan African countries.ObjectiveWe analyzed data from Uganda's non-communicable diseases risk factor survey conducted in 2014, to identify alcohol use prevalence and associated factors.DesignThe survey used the World Health Organization STEPS tool to collect data, including the history of alcohol use. Alcohol users were categorized into low-, medium-, and high-end users. Participants were also classified as having an alcohol-use-related disorder if, over the past 12 months, they were unable to stop drinking alcohol once they had started drinking, and/or failed to do what was normally expected of them because of drinking alcohol, and/or needed an alcoholic drink first in the morning to get going after a heavy drinking session the night before. Weighted logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with medium- to high-end alcohol use.ResultsOf the 3,956 participants, 1,062 (26.8%) were current alcohol users, including 314 (7.9%) low-end, 246 (6.2%) medium-end, and 502 (12.7%) high-end users. A total of 386 (9.8%) were classified as having an alcohol-use-related disorder. Male participants were more likely to be medium- to high-end alcohol users compared to females; adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.34 [95% confidence interval (CI)=1.88–2.91]. Compared to residents in eastern Uganda, participants in central and western Uganda were more likely to be medium- to high-end users; AOR=1.47 (95% CI=1.01–2.12) and AOR=1.89 (95% CI=1.31–2.72), respectively. Participants aged 30–49 years and those aged 50–69 years were more likely to be medium- to high-end alcohol users, compared to those aged 18–29 years, AOR=1.49 (95% CI=1.16–1.91) and AOR=2.08 (95% CI=1.52–2.84), respectively.ConclusionsThe level of alcohol use among adults in Uganda is high, and 9.8% of the adult population has an alcohol-use-related disorder.
Highlights
According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), there are 2 billion people worldwide who consume alcoholic beverages [1]
When consumed in moderate amounts, alcohol consumption has been found to be associated with decreased risk of overall mortality and a number of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, and stroke (2Á9)
Characteristics of participants Of the 3,987 subjects that participated in the NCDs risk factor survey, 3,956 provided information on their alcohol consumption history and are included this analysis
Summary
According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), there are 2 billion people worldwide who consume alcoholic beverages [1]. Objective: We analyzed data from Uganda’s non-communicable diseases risk factor survey conducted in 2014, to identify alcohol use prevalence and associated factors. Design: The survey used the World Health Organization STEPS tool to collect data, including the history of alcohol use. Weighted logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with medium- to high-end alcohol use. Results: Of the 3,956 participants, 1,062 (26.8%) were current alcohol users, including 314 (7.9%) low-end, 246 (6.2%) medium-end, and 502 (12.7%) high-end users. Male participants were more likely to be medium- to high-end alcohol users compared to females; adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 02.34 [95% confidence interval (CI) 01.88Á2.91]. Participants aged 30Á49 years and those aged 50Á69 years were more likely to be medium- to high-end alcohol users, compared to those aged 18Á29 years, AOR 01.49 (95% CI01.16Á1.91) and AOR 02.08 (95% CI01.52Á2.84), respectively. Conclusions: The level of alcohol use among adults in Uganda is high, and 9.8% of the adult population has an alcohol-use-related disorder
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