Prevalence of alcohol use and the interventions needed among adults: A community study in a rural area in South India

BACKGROUND: The health issues and social problems associated with alcohol use are well known. This study seeks to identify the prevalence of alcohol consumption and dependence among alcohol users in a rural area of Trivandrum district. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of alcohol use among adults of Nellanad Panchayat, a rural area in Trivandrum, Kerala, to find out the interventions required among the alcohol users, and to identify persons with harmful and hazardous use of alcohol using AUDIT. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Cross-sectional study in Nellanad Panchayat, Trivandrum district, Kerala. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 1545 residents in Nellanad Panchayat, a rural area in Kerala, by interviewing adults with the help of a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of current alcohol use was 146 (9.5%). The prevalence among males was 143 (18.3%) and females was 3 (0.4%). ASSIST scores showed that 99 (50%) of ever users required health education, 74 (37.8%) required counseling, whereas 23 (11.7%) required de-addiction. CONCLUSIONS: Among males, the alcohol consumption is still as high as 18.3%. The most important factor affecting alcohol use is peer pressure. Health education is the most required intervention to reduce burden of alcohol use.