Pattern and Predictors of Alcohol Use Disorders in a Family Practice in Nigeria

Abstract

Background:Primary care has been identified as a key setting for the reduction of alcohol-related harm, while general practitioners are expected to play a significant role. The study aimed at identifying pattern of, and factors that are associated with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) among patients attending Family Medicine unit of State University Teaching Hospital.Materials and Methods:Sample was selected through a random sampling from a population of patients, aged 18-65 years, attending the general medical out-patients unit of the hospital from January to April 2013. A pretested, semi-structured questionnaire was administered, incorporating sociodemographics and the diagnoses made by the attending Physician. The participants also completed the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) questionnaire and the patient health questionnaire-9.Results:The prevalence of AUDs among the population of general out-patients was 9.7%. The AUDIT scores of the participants range from 0 to 29 with a mean of 1.3 (standard deviation = 4.08). AUDs were significantly associated with gender, level of education, occupational class, and the presence of significant depressive symptoms (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant association found for age, employment status, marital status, and religion.Conclusion:The prevalence of AUDs among population studied was lower compared with a similar study in similar setting, but however, significant. AUDs were predicted by gender, lower education level, occupational group, and the presence of significant depressive symptoms mostly in the mild to moderate form. Identifying the group at risk in clinical setting may go a long way in reducing the adverse effect of AUDs in our society.

Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Factors Among Medicaland Surgical Outpatients of University of Gondar Specialized Hospital: A Cross-sectional Study

“…Our nding was consistent with those of other studies for example, 32.6% in Ethiopia among HIV/AIDS outpatients [18], 34.8% in South Africa in urban primary hospital outpatients [19], and 32.9% in Brazil among hospitalized patients [2]. On the other hand, the current result is higher than those of two different studies in Ethiopia 21% [20], and 3% [16], 9.7% in Nigeria among patients attending family medicine [21], 25.1% and 10.8% in Kenya [22], 18.9% and 27.6% in two different institutional studies on hospital outpatients in South Africa [23,24], 4.1% in a community-based survey and 5% in a facility study on men in Uganda [25], 9.5% in another institutional study on high risk sexual behavior outpatients in Uganda [26], 20.3% on tuberculosis patients [27], and 10.9% on primary health center male outpatients in south India [28], 15% in northern Ireland [29], 4.1% in Eastern Mediterranean region [30], and 7.3% in a study done at a primary health facility in Nepal [31]. The possible reasons for the discrepancy might be variations in study populations.…”

“…History of mental illness was signi cantly associated with AUDs. The nding of our study was similar to those of Ethiopia [20], Nigeria [21], and in South Africa [23]. The possible explanation could be that patients were using alcohol as a self-treatment.…”

Hazardous alcohol use among doctors in a Tertiary Health Center

“…Besides gender, age is an important factor that influences harmful alcohol use. [ 12 29 30 36 ] In this study, more respondents above 40 years had a higher rate of hazardous drinking compared to those below 40 years. In contrast, some authors have reported an association between younger age group and hazardous alcohol use.…”

“…Similarly, other studies have reported a lower rate of hazardous/harmful drinking among female doctors[ 12 28 29 ] and other population. [ 30 ] The lower number of females with alcohol use and the absence of female gender reported with hazardous alcohol use in this study may have been influenced by culture and religion. In Nigerian culture, where this study was carried out, it is largely permissive of men to drink alcohol rather than women.…”

“…Nonetheless, the proportion of doctors who were risky drinkers is lower compared with what obtained in the general population and patient population in Nigeria. [ 13 30 ] There are studies suggesting that risky drugs and alcohol use in practicing physicians are no greater than in the general public or other professionals[ 31 32 33 ] or even lower. [ 12 26 ] The lower rate of alcohol use reported among doctors may have resulted from their knowledge of negative consequences of alcohol, hence caution in the use of alcohol.…”