An Epidemiological Study on Alcohol Consumption in a Slum of Kolkata: Patterns, Associated Factors & Socio-demographic Consequences of Alcohol Consumption

A community-based, cross-sectional, descriptive study was undertaken among adult male population in the slum of Chetla, Kolkata, West Bengal, India. This study was conducted to find out the prevalence of alcohol consumption, association of alcohol consumption with different socio demographic variables,different patterns of consumers and the socio economic consequences of alcohol consumption. Male population aged 18 years & above were interviewed(n=228)with a schedule based on Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT). Overall, the presence of a considerable proportion of alcohol dependents (14%), low mean age of initiation in years(18.7±7.3), paternal influence on drinking habit (66.4%), habit of drinking in public places (41%) and the habit of verbal abuse towards closest family members very frequently by alcohol dependents (57%) as revealed by the study remained the main areas of concern. A comprehensive national level programme to eliminate this social evil is the need of the hour. The programme should include legal and educational measures to reduce accessibility of alcohol,screening of different patterns of drinkers by AUDIT & management of hazardous & dependent drinkers.