Abstract
BackgroundAlcohol use is increasing in non-Western countries. However, the effects of this increase on the prevalence of alcohol use disorders (AUD) remains unknown, particularly in South Asia. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of alcohol use and AUD in the Colombo District, Sri Lanka. Environmental risk factors and psychiatric correlates were also examined.MethodsThe Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to assess alcohol use and psychiatric disorders in a population based sample of 6014 twins and singletons in the Colombo region of Sri Lanka.ResultsLifetime alcohol use on 12 or more occasions was estimated at 63.1 % (95 % CI: 61.3-64.9) in men and 3.7 % (95 % CI: 3.0-4.3) in women. Prevalence of lifetime alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence in men was 6.2 % (95 % CI: 5.3-7.1) and 4.0 % (95 % CI: 3.3-4.7) respectively. Lower standard of living was independently associated with alcohol use and dependence but not abuse. Significant associations between lifetime AUD and other psychiatric disorders were observed.ConclusionsLower prevalence of alcohol use and AUD was observed compared to Western countries. Prevalence of alcohol use and AUD were higher than previous reports. Socio-demographic and environmental risk factors appear to be similar across cultures as were associations between AUD and other psychiatric disorders.
Highlights
Alcohol use is increasing in non-Western countries
alcohol use disorders (AUD) were examined in males only due to the low prevalence of females reporting alcohol use and AUD
Alcohol dependence was experienced by 4.0 % of men in the whole sample (6.4 % of men reporting alcohol use)
Summary
The effects of this increase on the prevalence of alcohol use disorders (AUD) remains unknown, in South Asia. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of alcohol use and AUD in the Colombo District, Sri Lanka. The use and abuse of alcohol is a global health problem, with developed countries showing near ubiquitous alcohol use. Patterns of consumption and use disorders are less well understood in low and middle income countries. As these become increasingly urbanized and affluent, increasing access as well as relaxing previous social checks to alcohol consumption, it might be anticipated that alcohol consumption and use disorders will increase. Sri Lanka is a middle-income country in South Asia with lower, but increasing, rates of alcohol use.
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