SEVERITY DETERMINANTS AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN CHRONIC ALCOHOL USERS: RECENT TRENDS.

Abstract

Background: Goa is a rapidly developing state with a high level of Western inuence. There are not many studies on alcoholism status in Goa. A need was felt to explore the recent trends in various factors involved along with severity and the quality of life of alcoholic patients. ToAims : study the severity of alcohol use and their correlates in patients admitted to a tertiary care psychiatry hospital and to assess the Quality of life in these patients. A Hospital -based cross-sectional study was initiated among 75 adults aged ≥18 years in a Tertiary careMaterials & Methods: psychiatric inpatient unit. Subjects were selected by a purposive sampling technique. SADQ and WHO QoL BREF questionnaire were used for assessment. SPSS 22 was used for data analysis and Chi Square test for signicance (P<0.05). On SADQ, Moderate dependence was seenResults: in majority of subjects n=39 (52%). Severe dependence was noted in 28 patients (37.3%). Mean age of study sample was 40.17years(SD±10.37yrs) with majority of subjects in 31-50years age group n=46(61.3%). Most study subjects had below SSCE level of education, n=62(82.67%) and only n=13(17.33%) were above SSCE. Majority were daily wagers or unemployed n=42(56%). The age of initiation into alcohol was before 25yrs in 68(90.7%) mean age being 18.28yrs(SD±4.21yrs).76%(n=57) were having more than 10yrs duration of alcohol use. WHOQolBref scores were low in social (38.09) and physical Domains(43.68). There is a trend of earlier initiation of alcohol use at younger age in our studyConclusions: group. Poor educational status, longer duration of alcohol use, poor income and poor QOL is associated with severity of alcohol use.