Hazardous alcohol consumption and its socio-demographic correlates among Russian adults: the Arkhangelsk-2012 study
METHODS: A cross-sectional, population-based study was conducted in 2012-2013 in Arkhangelsk, Northwest Russia. Participants were invited using a systematic sample from service coverage lists at municipal policlinics. Altogether, 448 individuals aged 18+ (24% men and 76% women) participated in the study. Alcohol consumption was assessed using 1-3 questions of the AUDIT questionnaire. Hazardous alcohol consumption was defined as the scores of ³4 for women and ³5 for men on the 1-3 questions the AUDIT. Data on age, gender, occupation and marital status were also collected. Prevalence estimates were standardized by age and gender by using the adult population of Arkhangelsk as the standard.
RESULTS: The prevalence of hazardous alcohol consumption was 42.7 (95% CI: 32.7-52.8) among men and 19.6% (95% CI: 14.9-24.4) among women. In multivariable analysis, men (OR=2.9, 95% CI: 1.6-5.3), cohabiting partners (OR=4.7, 95% CI: 1.3-13.7), blue-collar workers (OR=2.1, 95% CI: 1.1-4.1) were more likely while responders in the age-group 60+ years were less likely (OR=0.2, 95% CI: 0.1-0.6) to report hazardous alcohol drinking. No interaction between the variables was observed.
CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of both men and women reported hazardous alcohol consumption. Male gender, blue collar occupation and surprisingly cohabiting family status were associated with the outcome while older age was associated with lower odds for hazardous drinking. Further studies are needed on the validity of alcohol reporting and its effects on mortality and morbidity in Russia.