Prevalence and Factors Associated With Alcohol Use Disorder Among People Attending Primary Health Care Facilities in Rupandehi District, Nepal.

Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a global public health issue, impacting individuals physiologically, socially, and mentally. Limited studies were conducted to explore associated factors in Nepal. This study aims to assess AUD prevalence and associated factors among people attending primary healthcare services in Rupandehi, Nepal.

Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 688 individuals attending primary healthcare facilities of Rupandehi district, Nepal, using multistage probability sampling technique. The study utilized validated AUD identification test (AUDIT) in its Nepali version for screening AUD. To assess relationships between dependent and independent variables, bivariate analysis was initially conducted. Variables that showed significant association with dependent variable having p value < 0.05 were then included in a multivariate logistic regression model to identify final associated factors.

Results: The prevalence of AUD was 30.8% (CI: 27.4-34.4). About 62.8% are in low risk, 26.7% higher risk, 5.1% harmful and hazardous, and 5.4% in alcohol dependence. Respondents aged ≥ 50 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.26, CI: 0.11-0.61), female (AOR = 0.14, CI: 0.07-0.28), non-Hindu (AOR = 0.05, CI: 0.01-0.43), ≥ SLC education (AOR = 0.16, CI: 0.08-0.31) were negatively associated with AUD. Whereas, Newar (AOR = 4.10, CI: 1.00-16.88), rural areas (AOR = 1.57, CI: 1.02-2.42), joint family (AOR = 1.58, CI: 1.05-2.37), daily wages (AOR = 3.57, CI: 1.10-11.56), food sufficiency of 6-9 months (AOR = 1.94, CI: 1.01-3.75), habit of alcohol (AOR = 8.46, CI: 5.28-13.55) friends' history of alcohol (AOR = 2.16, CI: 1.19-3.94) and intimate partners' history of alcohol (AOR = 2.16, CI: 1.30-3.75) were positively associated with AUD.

Conclusions: Nearly one-third of the respondents' experiences AUD, with factors including age, sex, ethnicity, residential status, religion, family type, education, occupation, food sufficiency from own land, personal alcohol habits, and social connections. Hence, this study recommends screening and treatment in primary healthcare, emphasizing government orientation for healthcare workers.