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Alcohol consumption, hazardous drinking, and alcohol dependency among the population of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
Sathya Prakash Manimunda1, Attayuru Purushottaman Sugunan2, Kandavelu Thennarasu3, Dhanasekara Pandian4, Kasturi S Pesala5, Vivek Benegal6
1 Scientist-D (Medical), National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research, Indian Council of Medical Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
2 Scientist-F, Regional Medical Research Centre (ICMR), Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
3 Professor, Departments of Biostatistics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
4 Additional Professor, Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
5 Assistant Regional Director, Indira Gandhi National Open University, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
6 Professor, Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Correspondence Address:
Sathya Prakash Manimunda
National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research, Indian Council of Medical Research, Kannamangala Post, Bengaluru - 562 110, Karnataka
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/ijph.IJPH_230_15
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Background: Harmful use of alcohol is one of the globally recognized causes of health hazards. There are no data on alcohol consumption from Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence and pattern of alcohol use among the population of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. Methods: A representative sample of 18,018 individuals aged ≥14 years were chosen by multistage random sampling and administered a structured instrument, a modified version of the Gender, Alcohol, and Culture: An International Study (GENACIS) which included sociodemographic details and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Results: The overall prevalence of alcohol consumption was 35% among males and over 6.0% in females, aged 14 and above. Two out of every five alcohol users fit into a category of hazardous drinkers. One-fourth of the total users (23%) are alcohol dependents. Both the hazardous drinking and dependent use are high among males compared to females. Almost 18.0% of male drinkers and 12.0% of female drinkers reported heavy drinking on typical drinking occasions. The predominant beverages consumed were in the category of homebrews such as toddy and handia. Conclusion: The present study highlights the magnitude of hazardous drinking and alcohol dependence in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India and the complex sociocultural differences in the pattern of alcohol use. Based on the AUDIT data, among the population of Andaman and Nicobar Islands (aged 14 and above), one out of ten requires active interventions to manage the harmful impact of alcohol misuse.
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