Difference in alcohol consumption in central and eastern Slovakia during a coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:The COVID-19 pandemic has caused several negative changes. Increased alcohol consumption has been reported in some studies. This study aimed to compare the level of alcohol consumption among college students in the central and eastern regions of Slovakia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Three Slovak universities were included in the study. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identifi cation Test (AUDIT) was used to determine alcohol consumption. RESULTS: The total number of college students was 3,647. The overall AUDIT score was signifi cantly higher in the eastern region (p < 0.001). Alcohol was not consumed more frequently between regions in men and women (p > 0.05). During a typical drinking day, more alcohol was consumed in the eastern region compared to the central region of Slovakia in men (p < 0.028). Excess drinking by men has been reported in the eastern region compared to the central region (p < 0.048). There was no signifi cant difference between addiction groups in the symptoms (p > 0.05). Inability to remember what happened on a night of drinking was a signifi cant difference in eastern men (p = 0.047). CONCLUSION: Alcohol consumption is a signifi cant problem in Slovakia. The number of students with a high AUDIT score from the eastern region is higher than the number of students with a high AUDIT score from the central region. More signifi cant differences were found between men compared to women from eastern and central Slovakia (Tab. 5, Fig. 2, Ref. 34).