Heavy episodic alcohol use among adults: Prevalence and correlates in Central African Republic

Abstract

Heavy episodic drinking (HED) is associated with negative health consequences. The goal of the study was to assess HED among the general adult population in Central African Republic (CAR). In a cross-sectional survey in CAR (Bangui city and Ombella M’Poko region), 3 301 people (range = 25 - 64 years) completed structured interview questions, including on alcohol use, and anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were taken. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between sociodemographic indicators, health factors, and past-month HED. Results indicated that 33.0% of participants reported HED (26.4% in women and 44.4% in men), and among past 12-month drinkers 63.1% reported HED. In the final logistic regression model, male sex, aged 35 to 44 years, ten or more years of education, current tobacco smoking, current smokeless tobacco use, second-hand smoke exposure, and having four or more meals outside the home in the past week increased the odds of HED. One-third of the study population reported HED, suggesting a need for population-level interventions to reduce HED.