Prevalence and Pattern of Alcohol Use among Adults in an Urban Slum in South East Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused psychoactive substances in the country. Studies have shown sharp increases in alcohol consumption among Nigerians. This increase is likely to continue because of increased local production and availability of alcohol in the country. Knowledge of the prevalence and pattern of current alcohol use is important considering the public health and socioeconomic effects of alcohol use. Methods: Using a semi-structured questionnaire, we estimated the prevalence of current alcohol use among adults 18 years and older living in urban slums in Enugu South East Nigeria. Current use of alcohol was defined as use of any or all alcohol beverages in the past 4 weeks. The safe limit of alcohol was defined using WHO guidelines. Study duration was 5 months. Results: A total of 1411 individuals were recruited into the study. Males were 658 (46.6%) and females were 753 (53.4%). The overall prevalence of current use of alcohol was 66.7%; males 75.7% and females 58.8% (p < 0.01). The commonest alcoholic beverage consumed was beer 37.1%. The peak age of consumption was 40-49 years followed by 50-59 years. About 8.1% drank alcohol above the generally recommended units per week while 5.2% drank above the safe limit for chronic liver disease. Significant correlates of alcohol intake were increasing age, male gender, having a job, cigarette smoking and the use of snuff. Significant correlates for excessive consumption of alcohol were increasing age and cigarette smoking while those for exceeding the safe limit chronic liver were increasing age, male gender and cigarette smoking. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of current alcohol use among urban slums in Enugu. Public health educational measures for reducing alcohol consumption should be encouraged. Efforts should be made to educate the populace on the need for abstinence.

Current alcohol, tobacco, and khat use and associated factors among adults living in Harari regional state, eastern Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study

“…The magnitude of current alcohol use in this study was 8.24%. The finding is lower than studies conducted in Ethiopia 13.9% ( 18 ), Gondar 23.7% ( 17 ), Mekelle 25.1% ( 43 ), South Ethiopia 22.4% ( 54 ), Kenya 12.8% ( 55 ), South Africa 20% ( 56 ), and Nigeria 66.7% ( 57 ). The possible reason for the discrepancy might be due to the tools used to assess the current alcohol use.…”

Educational Status and Risks of Cardiovascular Disease in Awka, Southeast Nigeria

“…Alcohol use was found to be increasing with increasing level of education in this study, in contrast to studies by Rosoff et al [3] and Onodugo OD et al [4].…”

“…Levels of education seem to have a direct effect on the behavioral risk and socio economic status. Some studies have shown some association between cardiovascular risks and levels of education-association between alcohol and increasing levels of education [3] [4], meat consumption and increasing levels of education [5] [6], type 2 Diabetes mellitus and lower levels of education [7], long working hours and increasing levels of education [8], obesity and lower levels of education [9], hypertension, short nighttime sleep duration and different levels of education [10] [11]. There was a paucity of studies on the influence of educational levels on cardiovascular disease risks in Nigeria, prompting this study which was set out to evaluate these associations.…”

Lifestyle Correlates of Erectile Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetic Subjects Attending the Diabetes Out Patient Clinic of a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

“…A recent study in an urban slum in South-eastern Nigeria found that only 8.1% of the people drank alcohol above the general recommended unit per week. Alcohol consumption was supposed to be higher in urban slums compared to rural settings and organized urban dwellings [46]. This prevalence of alcohol consumption in Nigeria is far lower than what is obtainable in most cold climes.…”