Risk Management and Healthcare Policy (Jun 2024)
Alcohol Consumption Patterns for Excessive Drinkers in a Multi-Ethnic Society Short Running Title: Drinking Patterns and Health Education
Abstract
Ziting Wu,1– 3 Jiangxia Yu,4 Beini Lyu,2 Haoxiang Lin,2 Shanshan Li,5,6 Gordon G Liu1– 3 1National School of Development, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, People’s Republic of China; 2Institute for Global Health and Development, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, People’s Republic of China; 3PKU China Center for Health Economic Research, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, People’s Republic of China; 4School of Medicine and Health Management, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, People’s Republic of China; 5Center for International Cooperation and Disciplinary Innovation of Income Distribution and Public Finance (111 Center), Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, People’s Republic of China; 6Hubei Finance and Development Research Center, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Shanshan Li, Center for International Cooperation and Disciplinary Innovation of Income Distribution and Public Finance (111 Center), Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected] Gordon G Liu, National School of Development, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected]: Culture and eating habits, which vary greatly across different ethnic groups, have a substantial impact on drinking behavior. This study aimed to examine whether the drinking patterns and reasons differ by ethnic groups, and provide useful insights for multi-ethnic areas that seek to cut down alcohol intake.Methods: We recruited excessive drinkers and collected the drinking patterns and motivations by questionnaire in a multi-ethnic society. Multiple linear regressions were used to evaluate the variations in drinking characteristics among different ethnic groups.Results: We recruited 1287 participants through convenience sampling (a non-probability sampling technique used in research where the researcher selects participants or units for a study based on their accessibility and proximity), among whom 439 excessive drinkers were eligible. The mean age was 38 years for the 439 participants, 92.9% were men, 36.0% were Han, and 64.0% were minorities mainly composed of the Yi. The majority of the participants were married (75.9%) and did physical work (58.1%). Ethnic minorities consumed more alcohol on a single occasion than Han people did (47.3 vs 41.8g/session) while drinking less frequently. For the minority and Han participants, 67% and 42% were not used to drinking with food, respectively. Peer pressure and fostering a good atmosphere were the most common drinking reasons for the minority and Han, respectively.Conclusion: We found substantial differences in drinking patterns and reasons between ethnic minorities and Han ethnicity, attributable to their culture and customs. Findings highlight the importance of drinking habits and motivations in exploring alcohol control education strategies in the context of ethnic integration and population immigration.Keywords: health education, alcohol drinking habits, motivations, ethnic groups
