Understanding alcohol use among males in Colombo district: a cross-sectional survey

Alcohol consumption is a significant public health concern in Sri Lanka, which is linked to a variety of diseases and socioeconomic consequences. There is a rising trend in the overall per capita consumption and associated economic and disease burden in Southeast Asian countries, including Sri Lanka. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and patterns of alcohol consumption among adult males in the Colombo district.

A community-based analytical cross-sectional study was carried out between June 2019 and June 2020 among 1160 participants selected through multi-stage cluster sampling with a cluster size of 20. 58 clusters represented all administrative divisions of the district.

A total of 1106 adult males with a mean age of 45.7 (SD=17.4) years participated, of which the majority (n=859, 77.7%) were urban residents, while 228 (20.6%) were from rural areas. The study revealed that 53.4% of adult males in the Colombo district have ever consumed alcohol, with 29.3% having done so in the past 30 days. Findings indicate that alcohol use remains prevalent among adult males, with consumption patterns varying across socio-demographic groups. While a notable proportion of individuals reported alcohol consumption in the past year, there was a marked reduction in binge drinking and daily alcohol use compared with global and national figures. The study also highlights higher alcohol consumption among temporarily employed individuals and older age groups.

These insights contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of alcohol consumption trends in Sri Lanka and emphasise the need for continued research and policy efforts to address the health and social impacts of alcohol use.