An epidemiological study of alcoholism

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Addiction Studies

Background:

• Alcoholism poses a significant public health challenge globally.
• Understanding local prevalence is crucial for targeted interventions.
• Madras City, India, requires specific data on alcohol use disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of alcoholism in Madras City.
• To identify the proportion of males affected by alcoholism in a specific urban area.

Main Methods:

• A random sampling method was employed to select households in a North Madras locality.
• The Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) was administered to assess alcohol dependence.
• A total of 222 individuals were included in the study sample.

Main Results:

• The study found that 16.67% of males assessed in the North Madras sample were identified as suffering from alcoholism.
• Prevalence data provides a baseline for understanding alcohol-related health issues in the region.

Conclusions:

• Alcoholism affects a notable percentage of males in the studied Madras City population.
• Further research is warranted to explore contributing factors and implement preventive strategies.