Changes in Alcohol Consumption Pattern Based on Gender during COVID-19 Confinement in Spain

Abstract

(1) The goal of this study was to analyze the prevalence and pattern of alcohol consumption (frequency of consumption, average daily consumption, and risky consumption) before and during confinement due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the adult population and based on gender. (2) Methods: Data from 3779 individuals were collected via a set of online surveys. The AUDIT alcohol consumption questions (AUDIT-C) were used to measure the frequency of consumption, the average daily consumption, intensive consumption, risky consumption, and standard drink units. (3) Results: During confinement, the prevalence of alcohol consumption declined in both males and females, but only intensive consumption showed significant differences, with a greater reduction in males. The number of females who consumed alcohol four or more times per week doubled, whereas the number of males who did so was multiplied by a factor of 1.5; in both females and males, the percentage who presented intensive consumption doubled. The percentage of females with risky consumption was higher than that of males both before and during confinement. In addition to gender, the interaction between age and the employment situation explain consumption before and during confinement. (4) Conclusions: During confinement due to COVID-19, alcohol consumption declined in both sexes, but alcohol-risk consumers increased their frequency of use. The interaction between gender, age, and employment situation was related to these changes. These findings are relevant for guiding public health and health-risk management policies related to alcohol consumption in environmental situations similar to COVID-19.

Age and Living Situation as Key Factors in Understanding Changes in Alcohol Use during COVID-19 Confinement

“…Specifically, the percentage of those who consumed alcohol four or more days a week was 1.5 times greater during confinement (11.54% vs. 17.57%) and more pronounced in the 18 to 44 age group. This finding nuances the decreases reported in young adults, indicating that a portion of consumers showed an increase in the frequency of alcohol consumption [21][22][23]. These cases could be related to the use of alcohol as a coping mechanism to deal with the stress associated with social isolation, insecurity, and economic hardship resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic [1,19,30,44,47,48].…”

“…However, in this same age group, an increase in alcohol consumption, in terms of frequency and average amount, has also been reported [19,20], indicating that this could be a strategy used to cope with the stressful emotional burden of the pandemic [19]. Moreover, other studies report that, whereas part of the drinking population showed no change or less intake, another part showed an increase in consumption [21][22][23]. Finally, other studies report increases in alcohol consumption [24,25] and risky drinking [16], mostly in adults from 30 to 64 years old [14,26], with gender differences [22,27].…”

“…This finding highlights the underlying complexity of the alcohol consumption patterns before and during the pandemic as well as the changes observed in the latter period. Some studies conducted in the COVID-19 period have pointed out the relevance of gender [22,27], including a previous and complementary study to this one. In line with the findings, there are studies that show a reduction in the alcohol consumption gap between males and females [49][50][51][52], particularly in younger females [52,53].…”

“…Moreover, other studies report that, whereas part of the drinking population showed no change or less intake, another part showed an increase in consumption [21][22][23]. Finally, other studies report increases in alcohol consumption [24,25] and risky drinking [16], mostly in adults from 30 to 64 years old [14,26], with gender differences [22,27].…”

“…Therefore, the closing of bars, restaurants, clubs, and pubs, the usual places for alcohol consumption, led to changes in the availability of alcohol, which could contribute to reducing its use and corresponding harm [6]. However, the fact that alcohol consumption was confined exclusively to the home [22] may have created a situation of greater vulnerability to drinking alcohol in people with a higher level of dependence [10,28], mainly older adults and females, because at-home drinking is a strong predictor of risky consumption [29][30][31].…”