Epidemiology of alcohol use and alcohol use disorders among the population of Buea, south west region, Cameroon: A survey study

Abstract

Background: Alcohol consumption worldwide is associated with a range of health and societal problems. Epidemiology data are valuable tools for predicting the outcome of a given behaviour on the general population's health. This study aimed to evaluate the patterns of alcohol consumption among Buea inhabitants. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study involves 422 participants (244 men and 178 women) aged 15 years and above who have been residents of the Buea municipality for more than a year. This study was conducted from March to May 2019 using a semi-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire included socio-demographic information and the 10 items of the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT). Results: The results obtained showed that many of the alcohol misusers were men. 34.6 % of the participants indicated drinking above the recommended levels. 93.8 % of the respondents admitted to consuming alcohol in the company of others, mostly in bars. Beer was the leading alcoholic beverage consumed in Buea. Alcohol intake for pleasure and to relieve stress were among the leading causes of alcohol drinking in the study population. The vast majority of participants reported misbehavior after alcohol intake. The number of women with AUDIT C score greater than 5 was also significant. Aggressivity, memory loss, and falls after drinking were also recorded in the study population. Conclusion: The alcohol consumption patterns in Buea are associated with many behavioral misconducts. Therefore, there is a need for community education to curve the incidence of neurological diseases and alcohol addiction behaviour in the Buea municipality.