The Frequency of Alcohol Use in Iranian Urban Population: The Results of a National Network Scale Up Survey

Background In Islamic countries alcohol consumption is considered as against religious values. Therefore, estimation of frequency of alcohol consumptions using direct methods is prone to different biases. In this study, we indirectly estimated the frequency of alcohol use in Iran, in network of a representative sample using network scale up (NSU) method.   Methods In a national survey, about ۴۰۰ participants aged above ۱۸ at each province, around ۱۲ ۰۰۰ in total, were recruited. In a gender-match face to face interview, respondents were asked about the number of those who used alcohol (even one episode) in previous year in their active social network, classified by age and gender. The results were corrected for the level of visibility of alcohol consumption.   Results The relative frequency of alcohol use at least once in previous year, among general population aged above ۱۵, was estimated at ۲.۳۱% (۹۵% CI: ۲.۱۲%, ۲.۵۳%). The relative frequency among males was about ۸ times higher than females (۴.۱۳% versus ۰.۵۶%). The relative frequency among those aged ۱۸ to ۳۰ was ۳ times higher than those aged above ۳۰ (۳.۹۷% versus ۱.۳۶%). The relative frequency among male aged ۱۸ to ۳۰ was about ۷%.   Conclusion It seems that the NSU is a feasible method to monitor the relative frequency of alcohol use in Iran, and possibly in countries with similar culture. Alcohol use was lower than non-Muslim countries, however, its relative frequency, in particular in young males, was noticeable.

کلیدواژه ها:

Alcohol ، Abuse ، Network Scale Up (NSU) ، Iran