Alcohol Use and Risky Drinking Among Orang Asli in Malaysia: Evidence From the Orang Asli Health Survey 2022.

Abstract

Alcohol consumption profiles among the Orang Asli (OA) remain tribe specific. This study presents the first nationwide analysis of consumption patterns among 9225 OA adults across various tribes, based on the 2022 Orang Asli Health Survey. Alcohol consumption was assessed using the validated Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT-M) questionnaire; subsequently, multinomial logistic regression was performed using Stata 16 to identify sociodemographic factors associated with non-drinkers, low-risk drinkers, and risky drinkers. Current drinker prevalence was 9.1% (95% confidence interval [6.4, 12.8]), and 88.1% preferred beer. Among drinkers, 59.5% were risky drinkers, 36.3% were binge drinkers, and 8.0% were heavy episodic drinkers. Risky drinking was significantly associated with males (P < .001), younger adults (P = .001), smokers (P < .001), the Senoi (P < .001) and Proto-Malay tribes (P = .014), and those residing in fringe (P < .001) or urban (P = .009) areas. Integrating targeted alcohol screening into community health campaigns is essential to mitigate risky drinking behaviors within these vulnerable populations.