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The epidemiology of alcohol dependence and problem drinking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Author(s) -
Kebede D.,
Alem A.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1999.tb10691.x
Subject(s) - epidemiology , environmental health , medicine , alcohol , poison control , psychiatry , biology , biochemistry
We describe here a prevalence study of alcohol dependence and problem drinking in a representative sample of 10203 adults in Addis Ababa. At the first stage the study employed a 4‐scale screening instrument (CAGE) and at the second stage the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) was used to identify cases of alcohol dependence. Of the total population, 2.7% responded positively to at least 2 of the 4 CAGE items, fulfilling the definition of problem drinking. By use of the CIDI, the weighted lifetime and one‐month prevalence of alcohol dependence was 1.0% and 0.8%, respectively. It occurred almost exclusively among men. The prevalence of problem drinking increased with increasing age. The trend was statistically significant ( P for trend = 0.03). On the other hand, there was a statistically significant negative trend in the association with educational level, use decreasing with increasing educational attainment ( P for trend=0.0006). There was also a statistically significant 39% increased risk of alcohol use with employment. The association with ethnicity was not statistically significant. Only sex was significantly associated with alcohol dependence. Women had a 84%) less risk of becoming dependent compared to men.