The epidemiology of alcohol dependence and problem drinking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

We describe here a prevalence study of alcohol dependence and problem drink ing in a representative sample of 10 203 adults in Addis Ababa. At the firs t stage the study employed a 4-scale screening instrument (CAGE) and at the second stage the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) was u sed to identify cases of alcohol dependence. Of the total population, 2.7% responded positively to at least 2 of the 4 CAGE items, fulfilling the defi nition of problem drinking. By use of the CIDI, the weighted lifetime and o ne-month prevalence of alcohol dependence was 1.0% and 0.8%, respectively. It occurred almost exclusively among men. The prevalence of problem drinkin g increased with increasing age. The trend was statistically significant (P for trend = 0.03). On the other hand, there was a statistically significan t negative trend in the association with educational level, use decreasing with increasing educational attainment (P for trend = 0.0006). There was al so a statistically significant 39% increased risk of alcohol use with emplo yment. The association with ethnicity was not statistically significant. On ly sex was significantly associated with alcohol dependence. Women had a 84 % less risk of becoming dependent compared to men.