The “Hidden Story” about Change in Alcohol Use in India over the Past Two Decades: Insights from a Secondary Analysis of Data from the National Family Health Survey

BACKGROUND: Studies and published reports have not commented on the change in the proportion of the Indian population that consumed alcohol over the years. METHODS: We report the findings on changes in alcohol use in India over the past two decades, based on a secondary analysis of the data gathered over the successive National Family Health Surveys (NFHS-3 to 5). RESULTS: There was a significant decline (P < 0.001) of around 8% and 45% for the current use of alcohol among men and women from NFHS-3 to NFHS-4. There was a decline in the proportion of men reporting alcohol use across all but one state in NFHS-5 compared to NFHS-3. The decline was statistically significant (P < 0.001) for all but one state. There was a decline in the proportion of women reporting alcohol use in 12 states and an increase in three states. Also, there was a significant (P < 0.001) decline in the proportion of men reporting alcohol use in all the states in NFHS-5 compared to NFHS-4. There was an increase in the proportion of women reporting alcohol use in nine states (statistically significant in six states) in NFHS-5 compared to NFHS-4. However, the proportions were more than NFHS-3 values in two states. CONCLUSIONS: These observations on changes in alcohol use in the country over the past two decades will help better understand the trends in alcohol consumption and help better plan the future strategy to address alcohol use and alcohol use disorders.