1. Alcohol use in self-isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey in Brazil
- Author
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Helena F. Moura, Lisia von Diemen, Rugero A. Bulzing, Jacob Meyer, Igor Grabovac, Guillermo F. López-Sánchez, Kabir P. Sadarangani, Mark A. Tully, Lee Smith, and Felipe B. Schuch
- Subjects
Alcohol, COVID-19, depression ,anxiety ,Psychiatry ,RC435-571 - Abstract
Abstract Objectives To assess alcohol use and perceived change in alcohol consumption (before and during the pandemic) in Brazilians during the COVID-19 pandemic, their correlates, and their associations with depressive, anxiety and co-occurring depressive and anxiety symptoms (D&A). Methods This is a cross-sectional study comprising 992 individuals in self-isolation. A self-report questionnaire was used to assess whether participants were drinking during self-isolation and whether they changed their drinking behavior (drinking less, more, or no change) from before to during the pandemic. D&A symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories (BDI and BAI). Results A total of 68.5% of participants reported alcohol consumption during the pandemic, and 22.7% of these reported increased alcohol use. Smoking was positively associated with alcohol consumption during the pandemic. Alcohol consumption was associated with anxiety (OR = 1.40, 95%CI 1.06-1.85, p < 0.01) and D&A (OR = 1.38, 95%CI 1.02-1.87, p = 0.033) symptoms. Conclusions Drinking during self-isolation was prevalent and was associated with risk factors for alcohol use disorders. The long-term effects of high drinking rates and increased consumption should be proactively monitored and assessed.
- Published
- 2023
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