Abstract
Alcohol use is the third leading risk factor for premature mortality. India is one of the largest markets for alcoholic beverages. Existing research in India is localized to specific settings lacking national generalizability. The present study aims to estimate the trends in alcohol use in India by gender and regions and to estimate the current projected number of the population involved in problematic drinking. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) is used to estimate the age-standardized alcohol prevalence by gender and region. World Bank, 2019 population estimates are used to estimate the total population currently involved in problematic drinking, using the recent alcohol prevalence estimates. Nationally, the age-standardized prevalence of alcohol use increased between 1998-1999 and 2005-2006 and declined thereafter, being higher among men than women. Exceptions to the declines after 2005 are seen in some regions where alcohol use still increased. A 43.6% increase and 8.5% decrease in the age-standardized prevalence of problematic drinking is observed among men and women, respectively, between 2005-2006 and 2015-2016. However, problematic drinking increased in some regions for both men and women. 103.62 million men and 3.34 million women in India were involved in problematic drinking during 2019, with the highest incidences being among men aged 40-44 years and among women aged 45-49 years. Despite the overall progress India has made in reducing its alcohol prevalence, lowering it further remains a public health priority. There was a substantial rise in the prevalence of problematic drinking among the population, which warrants immediate action. Spreading knowledge and awareness about the negative health effects of problematic drinking among the adult population seems necessary. Strict implementation of policies would therefore not only aid in reducing the prevalence of alcohol use and problematic drinking, but, in turn, would also help to reduce the burden of alcohol-related morbidity and associated mortality in India.
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