Alcohol consumption and health consequences among villagers in Thum Tong sub-district, Mueang Nan district, Nan province, Thailand

Abstract

This study was aimed to identify and characterize the alcohol consumption situation among villagers and its health consequences. It sought to determine association between socio-demographic factors and alcohol drinking pattern with health consequences among 334 respondents in Thum Tong sub-district, Muang Nan district, Nan province, Thailand. Using cross-sectional study, villagers aged 18 – 64 years old were included in this study. Respondents were selected using systematic random sampling. Data collection was done by face to face interview questionnaires. Descriptive statistic, Chi-square and correlation were used to determine association between socio-demographic factors and alcohol drinking patterns with health consequences. The study revealed that about 69% (230) of respondents were drinkers. Male drank alcoholic beverages more than female (74.6% and 58.7% respectively) did. The majority of drinkers were in working aged. The majority of drinkers 49.1% drank white spirit followed by beer (40.0%). Most males drank white spirit while females drank beer. Male and female drank more than standard drinks per occasion (76.7% and 71.8% respectively). Most of them drank with friends during the festivals. Respondents were predominant hazardous drinkers (63.0%). Half of respondents had negative attitudes towards alcohol drinking. Sex, educational attainment, occupation, income, the types and frequency of drinking were found to be significantly associated with the intensity of health consequences. Moreover, levels of consumption was found to be positively correlated with health consequences scores (p<0.001). In conclusion, drinking alcoholic beverages is still found high prevalence among Thum Tong villagers. With a significant proportion drinking at risky levels, significant health consequences are reported.