1Registered Mental Health Nurse, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
2Principal and Professor, Shahid Kartar Singh Sarabha College of Nursing, Sarabha, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
Online published on 19 January, 2015.
Although various epidemiological studies have been conducted in specific regions of India, the findings could not be generalized for the entire population, considering the marked variations in ethnic and cultural beliefs across the nation.1
The aim of the present study was to ascertain the magnitude of problem of alcohol use and the levels of drinking among alcohol users in district Sangrur.
A population based cross-sectional survey was conducted using multistage probability sampling technique to collect data from 1000 males aged between 26-55 years in five different regions of the district. Interview schedule of Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test developed by WHO was used to assess alcohol use and levels of drinking.
An overall current prevalence of alcohol use 68.9% and rest 31.1% were current abstainers. Majority had hazardous drinking (19%) and harmful drinking level (18.8%), low risk drinking was exhibited by 16.2% and possible alcohol dependence detected in 14.9%.
The study found a high prevalence of alcohol use in Sangrur district and emphasizes the need for more rigorous research in the area of alcohol use and drinking patterns across India.
Current Prevalence, Low Risk Drinking, Hazardous Drinking, Harmful Drinking, Alcohol use Disorder Identification Test(AUDIT), Multistage Probability Sampling
