Factors associated with an increase in alcohol consumption among users of online social networks in Russia in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

IntroductionThe various restrictions and physical distancing introduced inRussia in early months of COVID-19pandemic could have a particular impact on people who use alcohol and create new needs for prevention and treatment of associated disorders.ObjectivesThe study was aimed at assessing changes in alcohol consumption among users of online social networks in Russia.MethodsDuring June-September 2020,1518 adult users (18+) of the most popular social networks in Russia (Odnoklassniki, VKontakte,Facebook, Twitter), completed an anonymous online survey regarding alcohol use changes in the first months of COVID-19 pandemic. Binary logistic regression was used to estimate associations of increased alcohol consumption with socio-demographic and pandemic-related factors.Results35.4%of men and 25.6%of women increased their frequency of drinking; 24.9%of men and 17.7%of women increased their typical one-time volume of alcohol consumption,and 28.5% of men and 27.9% of women increased frequency of heavy episodic drinking in the early months of pandemic. After mutual adjustment of independent variables,age18-29 years(OR=1.710;95%CI 1.002-2.917), very strong restrictions of everyday life(3.127; 1.011-9.675)and severe negative consequences in relation to professional or financial situation due to spread ofSARS-CoV-2 (2.247; 1.131-4.465) were positively associated with increase in frequency of drinking. The odds of increase in frequency of heavy episodic drinking were more than twice higher(2.329; 1.001-5.428) among those who experienced severe negative consequences to their professional/financial situation.Higher typical frequency,larger one-time volume of alcohol use,and higher frequency of heavy episodic drinking before pandemic were positively associated with increase of alcohol consumption in early months of pandemic.ConclusionsTimely monitoring of changes in alcohol consumption during pandemic can allow prevention of alcohol-related disorders, including mental disorders, among users of online social networks.DisclosureNo significant relationships.