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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

The prevalence and correlates of alcohol use and alcohol use disorders: a population based study in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Authors: Helena M.S. Zavos, Sisira Siribaddana, Harriet A. Ball, Michael T. Lynskey, Athula Sumathipala, Frühling V. Rijsdijk, Matthew Hotopf

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Alcohol use is increasing in non-Western countries. However, the effects of this increase on the prevalence of alcohol use disorders (AUD) remains unknown, particularly in South Asia. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of alcohol use and AUD in the Colombo District, Sri Lanka. Environmental risk factors and psychiatric correlates were also examined.

Methods

The Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to assess alcohol use and psychiatric disorders in a population based sample of 6014 twins and singletons in the Colombo region of Sri Lanka.

Results

Lifetime alcohol use on 12 or more occasions was estimated at 63.1 % (95 % CI: 61.3-64.9) in men and 3.7 % (95 % CI: 3.0-4.3) in women. Prevalence of lifetime alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence in men was 6.2 % (95 % CI: 5.3-7.1) and 4.0 % (95 % CI: 3.3-4.7) respectively. Lower standard of living was independently associated with alcohol use and dependence but not abuse. Significant associations between lifetime AUD and other psychiatric disorders were observed.

Conclusions

Lower prevalence of alcohol use and AUD was observed compared to Western countries. Prevalence of alcohol use and AUD were higher than previous reports. Socio-demographic and environmental risk factors appear to be similar across cultures as were associations between AUD and other psychiatric disorders.
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Metadata
Title
The prevalence and correlates of alcohol use and alcohol use disorders: a population based study in Colombo, Sri Lanka
Authors
Helena M.S. Zavos
Sisira Siribaddana
Harriet A. Ball
Michael T. Lynskey
Athula Sumathipala
Frühling V. Rijsdijk
Matthew Hotopf
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-015-0549-z

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