Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Comparative Study
. 2019 Feb 27;16(5):706.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph16050706.

Assessing Heavy Episodic Drinking: A Random Survey of 18 to 34-Year-Olds in Four Cities in Four Different Continents

Anne W Taylor  1 , Bridgette M Bewick  2 , Qian Ling  3 , Valentina Kirzhanova  4 , Paulo Alterwain  5 , Eleonora Dal Grande  6 , Graeme Tucker  7 , Alfred B Makanjuola  8
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Assessing Heavy Episodic Drinking: A Random Survey of 18 to 34-Year-Olds in Four Cities in Four Different Continents

Anne W Taylor et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Heavy episodic drinking (HED) can have health and social consequences. This study assesses the associations between HED and demographic, socioeconomic, motivation and effects indicators for people aged 18⁻34 years old living in four cities in different regions of the world.

Method: Multistage random sampling was consistent across the four cities (Ilorin (Nigeria), Wuhan (China), Montevideo (Uruguay) and Moscow (Russia)). The questionnaire was forward/back translated and face-to-face interviewing was undertaken. A total of 6235 interviews were undertaken in 2014. Separate univariable and multivariable modelling was undertaken to determine the best predictors of HED.

Results: HED prevalence was 9.0%. The best predictors differed for each city. The higher probability of HED in the final models included beliefs that they have reached adulthood, feeling relaxed as an effect of drinking alcohol, and forgetting problems as an effect of drinking alcohol. Lower probability of HED was associated with not being interested in alcohol as a reason for limiting alcohol, and the belief that drinking alcohol is too expensive or a waste of money.

Conclusion: Although some indicators were common across the four cities, the variables included in the final models predominantly differed from city to city. The need for country-specific prevention and early intervention programs are warranted.

Keywords: Ilorin; Montevideo; Moscow; Wuhan; adolescent; alcohol; heavy episodic drinking; survey.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

BMB, as keynote speaker/expert adviser, has received reimbursement of travel expenses and/or time from Anheuser-Busch, Noctis, and the International Centre for Alcohol Policies. BB has been in receipt of a research grant provided by the European Research Advisory Board (ERAB) and is currently a recipient of a research grant provided by the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD). BMB has received reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred as a member of the independent Research Advisory Board for the European Foundation for Alcohol Research. These projects/activities did not influence the current work. AWT is currently a recipient of a research grant provided by the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD). The other authors declare that they have no competing interest other than those mentioned in the acknowledgment section. The other authors declare that they have no competing interest other than those mentioned in the acknowledgment section.

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Caamano-Isorna F., Moure-Rodriguez L., Doallo S., Corral M., Holguin S.R., Cadaveira F. Heavy episodic drinking and alcohol-related injuries: An open cohort study among college students. Accid. Anal. Prev. 2017;100:23–29. doi: 10.1016/j.aap.2016.12.012. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Carlfjord S., Johansson K. Associations between frequency of heavy episodic drinking and self-reported consequences: a cross-sectional study in a Swedish Population. Alcohol Alcohol. 2012;47:719–724. doi: 10.1093/alcalc/ags080. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Patrick M.E., Schulenberg J.E., O’Malley P.M., Maggs J.L., Kloska D.D., Johnston L.D., Backman J.G. Age-related changes in reasons for using alcohol and marijuana from ages 18 to 30 in a national sample. Psychol. Addict. Behav. 2011;25:330–339. doi: 10.1037/a0022445. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Rossow I., Bogstrand S.T., Ekeberg O., Normann P.T. Associations between heavy episodic drinking and alcohol related injuries: a case control study. BMC Public Health. 2013;13:1076. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-13-1076. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Wells S., Speechley M., Koval J.J., Grahmam K. Gender differences in the relationship between heavy episodic drinking, social roles and alcohol-related aggression in a US sample of late adolescent and young adult drinkers. Am. J. Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2007;33:21–29. doi: 10.1080/00952990601082613. - DOI - PubMed

Publication types