Alcohol-Related Problems in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus: A Trend Analysis

Abstract

Aim: The comparative analysis of the level and dynamic of the indicator of alcohol-related problems in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. Methods: A comparative analysis of the trends in alcohol sales (independent variable) and mortality from acute alcohol poisonings, incidence of alcohol psychoses (dependent variables) in Russia Ukraine and Belarus in the period from 1980 to 2010 was carried out. Statistical analysis (Spearman’s correlation, linear regression) was carried out using the STATISTICA 10 package. Results: The data analysis showed that in the soviet period the level of alcohol sales correlated closely with the indirect indicators of alcohol-related problems in all countries. In the post-soviet period the level of alcohol sales statistically significant correlated with the incidence of alcoholic psychoses in Russia and mortality from acute alcohol poisonings in Belarus. Conclusions: The findings from present study suggest that the alcohol-related problems fluctuations in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine in the soviet period were attributable to alcohol sales. Alternatively, alcohol sales cannot fully explain the fluctuations in the alcohol-related morbidity and mortality observed in these countries in the soviet period.