ALCOHOL-PROBLEMS AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING 5 PRIMARY HEALTH-CARE CLINICS IN HARARE CITY

Modified versions of the CAGE and WHO AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Ide ntification Test) questionnaires were used to investigate drinking hab its of patients attending primary care clinics in Harare in 1989. The questionnaires were administered to 483 consecutive patients of whom 6 3 pc were male and 37 pc female. The results showed that 41 pc of the patients were current drinkers, and over 60 pc of them were drinking t o and beyond ''safe limits''. Thirty nine pc of the current drinkers d rank at least three or more times per week. On an average drinking day 66 pc of the male drinkers consume 10 or more units of alcohol per da y. On heavy drinking days 38,5 pc of the drinkers or 16 pc of the tota l sample consume more than 21 units per day. These sessions occurred a round paydays. Thirteen (13,2 pc) of those who consume more than 10 un its per heavy drinking session exceeded the recommended frequency leve ls i.e. not more than three times per week. Seventy five pc of drinker s stated that they drink to socialise or for recreational purposes. Ab out 60 pc of the current drinkers had tried unsuccessfully to cut down or stop drinking. The main reason for such an attempt reported by 92 pc of them was health problems. More current drinkers presented with S TD and work-related injuries compared to non-drinkers. None of the cur rent drinkers were asked about their drinking habits by the health wor kers who attended to them at the clinic. No diagnosis of alcohol depen dence or an alcohol problem was made by the Primary Health Care worker at the clinic.