Association of alcohol use with quality of life (QoL): A community based study from Puducherry, India
Jeby Jose Olickal, Ganesh Kumar Saya, Ramya Selvaraj, Palanivel Chinnakali
Abstract
BackgroundThere is a paucity of information available on the severity of alcohol use with quality of life (QoL). Hence this study aimed to assess the association of alcohol use with QoL.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 316 adult men aged ≥18 years in Puducherry, South India. Individuals were selected using a multistage sampling technique. WHO AUDIT and WHO QoL BREF questionnaire were used. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the independent association of alcohol use with QoL.ResultsMean (SD) age at initiation was 25.1 (8.8) years. The prevalence of probable dependence was 8.2% (95% CI 5.4–11.8%), and hazardous or harmful use was 27.8% (95% CI 24.8–35.1%). Overall mean (SD) score of QoL was lower among alcohol users compared to non-alcohol users [50.7 (10.9) vs 63.5 (10.1), p-value <0.001]. QoL score was significantly lower among alcohol users in QoL rating and health satisfaction; also in physical, psychological, social relationship, and environmental domains. High-risk alcohol users and urban residence had 11.2 and 4.1 less QoL scores respectively and educated had 7 more QoL scores compared to the reference category.ConclusionsAlcohol use is associated with low quality of life. There is a need of alcohol-deaddiction strategies to reduce alcohol use and improve their QoL.