Paper abstract:

The study intended to determine the alcohol drinking behavior and factors influencing to it among adult males using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). It was analyzed 800 adult males’ data, for the 2020-2021, living in the west regions of Uzbekistan. Implementation of SOP for primary healthcare doctors will contribute in early screening among population in risk.

The research focused on study the alcohol drinking behavior among Uzbek male cohort using AUDIT tool. The findings showed that social background and age-specific characteristics of the sample significantly impact the cohort’s alcohol consumption behavior. The AUDIT tool has been developed by the WHO and evaluates excessive alcohol drinking risks serving as a screening test. It has three domains: low-risk dependence (0-7), moderate-risk (8-15) and high-risk dependence (16 and above). Low- and moderate-risk dependences can be managed with reduction of risk factors, whereas the high-risk alcohol dependence requests to seek medical specialist consultation.

Analysis of the epidemiology of alcohol consumption in the study showed that its prevalence was 67,6%, from which 17,7% with high-risk alcohol consumption, 58,0% moderate-risk and 24,3% with low-risk. Study of age and social characteristics of alcohol consumers revealed that most of them were persons in middle-age (40-49 years old) – 38,6%, with secondary education (vocational) – 64,3%, workers of service provision and trade – 57,7%, and who was married – 90,6%.

The study suggests that middle-aged (40-59 years old) and married males with the secondary education level working in the service delivery and trade are mostly vulnerable to high-risk drinking pattern. Such factors should be considered in development preventive measures and policy-based interventions to reduce the high-risk pattern among population. Development of Standard Operational Procedures for family doctors in primary healthcare level, using the AUDIT tool, will contribute in early detection of population in moderate and high-risk of alcohol consumption and decrease its progress and complications.