Alcohol use and associated factors among Adults in Bahir Dar city administration, Amhara, Ethiopia

Abstract Background: Globally, about 3 million people die every year due to the harmful use of alcohol. Although a strategy designed to reduce the harmful use of alcohol globally, the magnitude of alcohol consumption, especially in developing countries remains high. There is scanty information in Bahir Dar City on the prevalence of alcohol use and associated factors among adults. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of alcohol use and associated factors among adults in Bahir Dar city, Amhara, Ethiopia Method: Community based cross-sectional study was conducted. The study used face-to-face interviews and a multistage sampling technique was used to collect data from 648 adults in Bahir Dar city from October 10-27, 2019. Data were cleaned and analyzed by a statistical package for social science version 23. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent factors associated with alcohol use and significant predictors were declared at P<0.05. Result: The prevalence of alcohol use among adults was 16.5% with 95%CI (14%, 19%). In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, being male (AOR=5.19, 95% CI=2.74- 9.83), age 38-47 years (AOR=2.58, 95% CI=1.11-5.97), tobacco use (AOR=5.08, 95%CI=2.80-9.23) and felt a worthless person (AOR=3.50, 95% CI=1.76 - 6.98) were factors significantly associated with alcohol use. Conclusion: In this study the prevalence of alcohol use was low. Being male, age 38-47 years, only read & write, primary education, unemployed, self-employed, employed, student, income, and tobacco use were significantly associated with alcohol use. The national and regional health bureau should identify intervention strategies for the above-mentioned factors to reduce the harmful effect of alcohol use.