Alcohol Consumption Pattern in Females in Comparison with Males: A Hospital-based, Cross-sectional Study

Background: Alcohol dependence affects not only the individual but also the family and society in terms of psychological, financial, and social aspects. This impact is more pronounced in women with alcohol dependence. Substance dependence in women has been largely a taboo subject and rarely discussed or studied. Women who consume alcohol are found to differ from their male counterparts in both biological and social domains. There is a paucity of studies in India on women with alcohol dependence. In this background, the current study was planned with the aim of assessing and analyzing the clinical profile of females and males with alcohol use. Methodology: This is an observational study done at a tertiary care hospital. Those who reported to the hospital, both out- and inpatients aged above 21 years from January 2022 to June 2022, were included in this study. A predesigned questionnaire for sociodemographic details, data related to alcohol consumption, and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test were used in the assessment. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software version 23. Independent t -test, Chi-square was used for analysis. The P value was set as significance at <0.05. Results: A total of 100 patients were included in the study. In the sample, females were older, started consuming alcohol at a later age, and overall used less alcohol than males. The majority of females were illiterate and from low socioeconomic status. Most males preferred whiskey while females preferred brandy. More males had a family history of alcohol dependence. Females had more social, financial, and family problems. Half of the female sample did not procure alcohol themselves. Males started using alcohol due to peer influence and females started due to boredom or sadness. The majority of females had comorbid medical and psychiatric illnesses as compared to males. Conclusion: Alcohol use in males and females differed significantly in clinical and sociodemographic profiles. Alcohol use in females was frequently associated with unfavorable social background and comorbid medical and psychiatric illnesses, which needs our focused intervention to reach the unreached.