Regional features of the alcohol situation and health and demographic consequences

Abstract

Purpose: based on the results of the analysis of official statistics of medical and demographic indicators and data from a questionnaire survey on alcohol consumption, to highlight the features of alcoholization in cities and villages of the Republic of Mari El with the rationale for priority areas for reducing negative consequences. Methods. Processing of data on alcohol consumption, medical and demographic indicators, as well as the results of a survey of 403 people according to the AUDIT test was carried out using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s chi-square test, ANOVA multivariate analysis of variance, and Spearman’s correlation analysis. Results. About 80% of the respondents used alcoholic beverages, one in five of them in excessive quantities. With an increase in the age group of the population, the consumption of low-alcohol drinks was replaced by strong ones, accompanied by a decrease in the proportion of teetotalers and a reduction in consumption in alcohol equivalent. An increase in the level of education had a positive effect on the proportion of non-drinkers and the strength of drinks consumed. Alcohol consumption among rural residents, compared with urban residents, was characterized by a high proportion of strong alcoholic beverages, with a greater prevalence of vodka and moonshine. Mortality and socially significant morbidity rates correlated with a delayed effect with the level of alcohol sales and consumption. Conclusion. One of the leading ways to reduce the risk to public health from alcohol is to reduce the consumption of strong drinks, which have a long period of negative effects.