The Frequency of Alcohol Use in Iranian Urban Population: The Results of a National Network Scale Up Survey

Abstract

Background: In Islamic countries alcohol consumption is considered as against religious values. Therefore, estimation of frequency of alcohol consumptions using direct methods is prone to different biases. In this study, we indirectly estimated the frequency of alcohol use in Iran, in network of a representative sample using network scale up (NSU) method. Methods: In a national survey, about 400 participants aged above 18 at each province, around 12 000 in total, were recruited. In a gender-match face to face interview, respondents were asked about the number of those who used alcohol (even one episode) in previous year in their active social network, classified by age and gender. The results were corrected for the level of visibility of alcohol consumption. Results: The relative frequency of alcohol use at least once in previous year, among general population aged above 15, was estimated at 2.31% (95% CI: 2.12%, 2.53%). The relative frequency among males was about 8 times higher than females (4.13% versus 0.56%). The relative frequency among those aged 18 to 30 was 3 times higher than those aged above 30 (3.97% versus 1.36%). The relative frequency among male aged 18 to 30 was about 7%. Conclusion: It seems that the NSU is a feasible method to monitor the relative frequency of alcohol use in Iran, and possibly in countries with similar culture. Alcohol use was lower than non-Muslim countries, however, its relative frequency, in particular in young males, was noticeable.

A public health approach to alcohol use and its related harms in Iran

“…2,3 A nation-wide household mental health survey suggested that 5•7% of the adult population had consumed alcohol in the previous year, 3 with a higher prevalence among men, young adults, single adults, urban areas, and some geographical regions. 3,4 Moreover, alcohol poisoning outbreaks due to the consumption of substandard alcoholic drinks are frequent and contribute to alcohol poisoning deaths and hospitalisations across the country. 5 For example, 768 cases of hospitalisation due to methanol poisoning were reported in eight provinces in Iran over the course of 4 weeks in late 2018; among these patients, 170 had dialysis, 16 were blinded, and 96 died.…”

Alcohol Use Among Homeless Men in Tehran, Iran: Risk and Protective Factors

“…According to a national survey conducted in Iran (3), men, university students, and people aged 18 to 30 are more likely to consume alcohol (1,3). In addition, according to a study conducted among 5,231 Iranian university students, alcohol consumption was reported as the most common substance used among this group (1).…”

“…In addition, according to a study conducted among 5,231 Iranian university students, alcohol consumption was reported as the most common substance used among this group (1). Regional analysis indicated that university students in some provinces including Fars, Isfahan, Kurdistan, Yazd, Tehran, Zanjan, and Golestan were at a higher risk of alcohol consumption (1,3).…”

“…Alcohol is one of the most important health concerns around the world, which may cause non-communicable diseases (1,2). Monitoring of the trend of alcohol use is one of the priorities of health policy and planning systems (3,4). Although drinking and trading of alcohol are illegal in Iran, the issue of alcohol use is significant (3).…”

“…Monitoring of the trend of alcohol use is one of the priorities of health policy and planning systems (3,4). Although drinking and trading of alcohol are illegal in Iran, the issue of alcohol use is significant (3). Because of being illegal, alcohol use can be considered a hidden problem and therefore, there is limited evidence of alcohol use in the country.…”