Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

___________________________________________

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Hazardous Alcohol Drinking in the Former Soviet Union: A Cross-Sectional Study of Eight Countries
Alcohol and Alcoholism Advance Access published online on February 3, 2008




Hazardous consumption of large quantities of alcohol is a major cause of ill-health in the former Soviet Union (fSU). The objective of this study was to describe episodic heavy drinking and other hazardous drinking behaviors in eight countries of the fSU.

Data from national surveys of adults conducted in Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine in 2001 were used (overall sample size 18,428; response rates 71–88%). Heavy episodic drinking, high alcohol intake, drinking alcohol during the working day, and using illegally produced strong spirits were examined.

On average, 23% of men and 2% of women were defined as heavy episodic drinkers (≥2 l of beer or ≥750 g bottle of wine or ≥200 g strong spirits at least once every 2–3 weeks). This was more common in young males, women who are single or who are divorced/separated/widowed, in smokers, and in frequent alcohol drinkers. About half the respondents who drank strong spirits obtained at least some alcohol from private sources. Among drinkers, 11% of males and 7% of women usually took their first drink before the end of working day.

Heavy episodic alcohol drinking is frequent in males throughout the region—although prevalence rates may have been affected by underreporting—but is still relatively rare in women.

Alcohol policies in the region should address hazardous drinking patterns and the common use of illegally produced alcohol.



Read Full Abstract


Request Reprint E-Mail: Joceline.Pomerleau@lshtm.ac.uk
_____________________________________________________________________