Prevalence Of Female Alcohol Dependence Syndrome in Fisherman Community, Nallavadu, Pondicherry

Dr Sujaritha. V; Ms. Ashwathi

Volume : VII, Issue : V, May - 2018

Prevalence Of Female Alcohol Dependence Syndrome in Fisherman Community, Nallavadu, Pondicherry

Dr Sujaritha. V, Ms. Ashwathi

Abstract :

Introduction: Alcohol abuse was believed to be a male phenomenon and has been traditionally considered as a disease of men. But recently substance abuse in women is of great concern. Research studies on substance abuse among women in developing countries like India are sparse compared to western countries. Hence this study is undertaken in a specific population among the less studied gender.

Aim:Estimatingthe prevalence of female alcohol dependence syndrome in Nallavadu along with assessment of socio demographic profile of females in the community.

Methodology: The study was conducted in the second largest fisherman community in Pondicherry, Nallavadu from January 2017 to May 2017. It was a cross sectional study. The sample size was calculated using formulas and the sample size taken was 186. The sampling method followed was stratified sampling. The subjects were interviewed individually using the Performa which contained socio demographic details and questions related to alcohol consumption in subjects and their family. Those who responded positively for alcohol consumption were subjected to AUDIT questionnaire and ICD 10.

Results:The prevalence of alcohol dependence among females in fisherman community, Nallavadu, Pondicherry is 1.6%. There was an alarming rate of widow in the community which was about 12.9%. About 53% of subjects� husband consumed/ consumes alcohol (including widow/separated females) either daily/ occasionally/ weekly. Among them, 43% consumed/consumes alcohol on a daily basis. 73.1% of the females had first degree relatives with alcohol consumption. Daily alcohol consumption in father is about 64.5%. About 6.9% of the females had suicidal deaths in their family under the influence of alcohol. Among those who consume alcohol, the source of introduction was husband (family members) in all 4 members with most common reason for first alcohol use being relief of fatigue followed by psychological stress.

Conclusions: There is a need to have specific population study to assess the problem of substance abuse so that control and treatment measures can be tailored. Similarly there is a need for gender specific researches in substance abuse unlike the past as the problem of female substance abuse is on the rise.