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Verheij C, Alexandrov N, Lubetkin EI, Bonsel GJ, Yfantopoulos JN, Janssen MF, Schuit SCE, Polinder S, Rood PPM, Haagsma JA. The Frequency and Predictive Factors of Change in Alcohol Consumption during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from a Multi-Country Longitudinal Study. Nutrients 2024; 16:2591. [PMID: 39203728 PMCID: PMC11357368 DOI: 10.3390/nu16162591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has had multiple health and behavioral effects in the general population worldwide, including effects on nutritional and lifestyle behavior such as alcohol consumption. This study aimed to determine the frequency of and predictors for change in alcohol consumption two years after onset of the COVID-19 pandemic among participants from the general population of six countries. METHODS Longitudinal study design with 4999 participants (47% male; aged 18-75 years) from a general population cohort from six countries: Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (US). MEASUREMENTS Three web-based surveys at different time waves: T1 = 22 April-1 June 2020; T2 = 2 May-29 June 2021 and T3 = 29 April-25 June 2022. The surveys included questions on self-reported retrospective alcohol consumption, demographics, health, anxiety and depression symptoms and recent life events. RESULTS Of 4999 respondents, most (82.3%) reported no change in drinking habits during the pandemic, whereas 12.5% reported drinking less and 5.1% drinking more. Predictive factors for increased alcohol consumption include age 35-54 years, male gender, high educational level, moderate-severe depression symptoms, excessive drinking before the COVID-19 pandemic, no change in general health status and job loss. Predictive factors for decreased alcohol consumption were age 18-34 years, male gender, having chronic disease(s), moderate-severe depression symptoms, excessive drinking before the pandemic and job loss. CONCLUSION The proportion of participants who reported a decrease in alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic was higher compared to those who reported an increase. Excessive drinking before the pandemic, depression symptoms and job loss were predictors for both drinking more and drinking less alcohol during the COVID-19 pandemic with an stronger association for an increase in alcohol consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolien Verheij
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Erasmus MC—University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (P.P.M.R.); (J.A.H.)
| | - Nadja Alexandrov
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC—University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Erica I. Lubetkin
- Department of Community Health and Social Medicine, CUNY School of Medicine, New York, NY 10031, USA;
| | - Gouke J. Bonsel
- EuroQol Research Foundation, 3068 AV Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - John N. Yfantopoulos
- MBA-Health Department of Economics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece;
| | - Mathieu F. Janssen
- Section Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC—University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Stephanie C. E. Schuit
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC—University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
- Board of Directors, University Medical Center Groningen, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Suzanne Polinder
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC—University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Pleunie P. M. Rood
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Erasmus MC—University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (P.P.M.R.); (J.A.H.)
| | - Juanita A. Haagsma
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Erasmus MC—University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (P.P.M.R.); (J.A.H.)
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC—University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Duan W, Wang J, Wang Z. A Network Analysis of Brief Measure of Perceived Courtesy and Affiliate Stigma During COVID-19 in Hubei China. JOURNAL OF EVIDENCE-BASED SOCIAL WORK (2019) 2023; 20:623-636. [PMID: 37461302 DOI: 10.1080/26408066.2023.2192716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The current study aims to test perceived affiliate and courtesy stigma in Hubei province China during the early periods of COVID-19 by using network analysis. METHOD In this study, 4,591 participants (3,034 female, mean age = 26.64) from the Hubei Province of China were recruited to conduct network analysis. RESULTS The network analysis found network connections between Estranged - Blamed, Shamed - No Strong Point, and Rejected - Plague were the strongest. The most important stigma features (nodes) of COVID-19 (i.e. Plague, No Strong Point, Discriminated, and Disgusting). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS This study uncovered the most central features of perceived affiliate and courtesy stigma on COVID-19, proposing these features (and associations between features) could be prioritized for anti-stigma interventions for the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Duan
- School of Social and Public Administration, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Jingying Wang
- School of Social and Public Administration, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Zichuan Wang
- School of Social and Public Administration, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, P. R. China
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Rubio M, van Hooijdonk K, Luijten M, Kappe R, Cillessen AHN, Verhagen M, Vink JM. University students' (binge) drinking during COVID-19 lockdowns: An investigation of depression, social context, resilience, and changes in alcohol use. Soc Sci Med 2023; 326:115925. [PMID: 37137201 PMCID: PMC10125214 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.115925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The first COVID-19 lockdown impacted the social life and behaviors of university students, such as alcohol use. While previous studies have reported changes in students' alcohol use during the lockdown, knowledge of risk groups like binge drinkers is limited. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to investigate how the first lockdown impacted the alcohol use of university students who were regular binge drinkers before the lockdown. METHODS Cross-sectional data were used to explore self-reported changes in alcohol use and associated psychosocial effects in regular binge drinking versus regular drinking university students (N = 7355) during the first COVID-19 lockdown (Spring 2020) in the Netherlands. RESULTS University students generally drank less alcohol and reduced binge drinking behaviors during the lockdown. Being a binge drinker who increased/maintained alcohol use, or a regular drinker who increased, was associated with older age, fewer servings of alcohol per week before COVID-19, higher contact with friends, and not living with parents. Among regular binge drinkers, men increased their alcohol use during the lockdown significantly more than women. Among regular drinkers, those with high depressive symptoms and low resilience had increased alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS These findings give insight into significant changes in drinking behaviors among university students during the first COVID-19 lockdown. More importantly, it underscores the need to reckon vulnerable students considering drinking type and associated psychosocial variables for increasing or maintaining higher alcohol use during societal stress periods. In the present study, an unexpected at-risk group emerged among regular drinkers who increased alcohol use during the lockdown in association with their mental state (i.e., depression and resilience). As the COVID-19 pandemic, and the possibility of similar scenarios in the future, is still present in the current student life, specific preventive strategies and interventions should be targeted accordingly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milagros Rubio
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
| | | | - Maartje Luijten
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Rutger Kappe
- Department of Student Success, Inholland University for Applied Sciences, Haarlem, Netherlands
| | | | - Maaike Verhagen
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline M Vink
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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Sohi I, Chrystoja BR, Rehm J, Wells S, Monteiro M, Ali S, Shield KD. Changes in alcohol use during the COVID-19 pandemic and previous pandemics: A systematic review. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2022; 46:498-513. [PMID: 35412673 PMCID: PMC9111333 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study is to summarize the research on the relationships between exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic or previous pandemics and changes in alcohol use. A systematic search of Medline and Embase was performed to identify cohort and cross-sectional population studies that examined changes in alcohol use during or following a pandemic compared to before a pandemic occurred. Outcomes examined included differences in the volume and frequency of alcohol consumption and the frequencies of heavy episodic drinking (HED) and alcohol-related problems during a pandemic compared to before a pandemic. Quality assessment was performed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Nonrandomized Studies. This study was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The search yielded 672 articles; 27 were included in the narrative review, of which 6 were cohort studies (all from high-income countries). A total of 259,188 participants were included. All cohort studies examined the impact of COVID-19 and associated pandemic-related policies, including social distancing and alcohol-specific policies, on alcohol use. Cohort studies demonstrated a consistent significant decrease in total alcohol consumption (Australia) and a significant increase in the frequency of alcohol use (United States). A significant decrease in the frequency of HED was observed in Australia and Spain but not in the United States. A significant increase in the proportion of people with problematic alcohol use was observed in the United Kingdom. Initial insights into changes in alcohol use indicate substantial heterogeneity. Alcohol use may have decreased in some countries, while HED and the proportion of people with problematic alcohol use may have increased. The lack of high-quality studies from low- and middle-income countries reflects a dearth of information from countries inhabited by most of the world's population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivneet Sohi
- Institute for Mental Health Policy ResearchCentre for Addiction and Mental HealthTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Bethany R. Chrystoja
- Institute for Mental Health Policy ResearchCentre for Addiction and Mental HealthTorontoOntarioCanada
- Dalla Lana School of Public HealthUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Jürgen Rehm
- Institute for Mental Health Policy ResearchCentre for Addiction and Mental HealthTorontoOntarioCanada
- Dalla Lana School of Public HealthUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research InstituteCentre for Addiction and Mental HealthTorontoOntarioCanada
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
- Institute of Medical ScienceUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy & Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Longitudinal StudiesTechnische Universität DresdenDresdenGermany
- Department of International Health ProjectsInstitute for Leadership and Health ManagementI.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical UniversityMoscowRussia
| | - Samantha Wells
- Institute for Mental Health Policy ResearchCentre for Addiction and Mental HealthTorontoOntarioCanada
- Dalla Lana School of Public HealthUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research InstituteCentre for Addiction and Mental HealthTorontoOntarioCanada
- Department of Epidemiology and BiostatisticsWestern UniversityLondonOntarioCanada
| | | | - Shehzad Ali
- Institute for Mental Health Policy ResearchCentre for Addiction and Mental HealthTorontoOntarioCanada
- Department of Epidemiology and BiostatisticsWestern UniversityLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Kevin D. Shield
- Institute for Mental Health Policy ResearchCentre for Addiction and Mental HealthTorontoOntarioCanada
- Dalla Lana School of Public HealthUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research InstituteCentre for Addiction and Mental HealthTorontoOntarioCanada
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Kilian C, O'Donnell A, Potapova N, López‐Pelayo H, Schulte B, Miquel L, Paniello Castillo B, Schmidt CS, Gual A, Rehm J, Manthey J. Changes in alcohol use during the
COVID
‐19 pandemic in Europe: A meta‐analysis of observational studies. Drug Alcohol Rev 2022; 41:918-931. [PMID: 35187739 PMCID: PMC9111882 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Issues Numerous studies have examined the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on alcohol use changes in Europe, with concerns raised regarding increased use and related harms. Approach We synthesised observational studies published between 1 January 2020 and 31 September 2021 on self‐reported changes in alcohol use associated with COVID‐19. Electronic databases were searched for studies evaluating individual data from European general and clinical populations. We identified 646 reports, of which 56 general population studies were suitable for random‐effects meta‐analyses of proportional differences in alcohol use changes. Variations by time, sub‐region and study quality were assessed in subsequent meta‐regressions. Additional 16 reports identified were summarised narratively. Key Findings Compiling reports measuring changes in overall alcohol use, slightly more individuals indicated a decrease than an increase in their alcohol use during the pandemic [3.8%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.00–7.6%]. Decreases were also reported more often than increases in drinking frequency (8.0%, 95% CI 2.7–13.2%), quantity consumed (12.2%, 95% CI 8.3–16.2%) and heavy episodic drinking (17.7%, 95% CI 13.6–21.8%). Among people with pre‐existing high drinking levels/alcohol use disorder, high‐level drinking patterns appear to have solidified or intensified. Implications Pandemic‐related changes in alcohol use may be associated with pre‐pandemic drinking levels. Increases among high‐risk alcohol users are concerning, suggesting a need for ongoing monitoring and support from relevant health‐care services. Conclusion Our findings suggest that more people reduced their alcohol use in Europe than increased it since the onset of the pandemic. However high‐quality studies examining specific change mechanisms at the population level are lacking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Kilian
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy Technische Universität Dresden Dresden Germany
| | - Amy O'Donnell
- Population Health Sciences Institute Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne UK
| | - Nina Potapova
- Grup de Recerca en Addiccions Clinic Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Unitat Conductes Addictives Hospital Clínic Barcelona Spain
| | - Hugo López‐Pelayo
- Grup de Recerca en Addiccions Clinic Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Unitat Conductes Addictives Hospital Clínic Barcelona Spain
| | - Bernd Schulte
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf, Department of Psychiatry Hamburg Germany
| | - Laia Miquel
- Grup de Recerca en Addiccions Clinic Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Unitat Conductes Addictives Hospital Clínic Barcelona Spain
| | - Blanca Paniello Castillo
- Grup de Recerca en Addiccions Clinic Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Unitat Conductes Addictives Hospital Clínic Barcelona Spain
- Department of Global Public Health (student) Karolinska Institute Stockholm Sweden
| | - Christiane Sybille Schmidt
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf, Department of Psychiatry Hamburg Germany
| | - Antoni Gual
- Grup de Recerca en Addiccions Clinic Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Unitat Conductes Addictives Hospital Clínic Barcelona Spain
| | - Jürgen Rehm
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy Technische Universität Dresden Dresden Germany
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf, Department of Psychiatry Hamburg Germany
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Toronto Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health University of Toronto Toronto Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Science University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building Toronto Canada
| | - Jakob Manthey
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy Technische Universität Dresden Dresden Germany
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf, Department of Psychiatry Hamburg Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical Faculty University of Leipzig Leipzig Germany
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Alcohol Use and Its Related Psychosocial Effects during the Prolonged COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Survey. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182413318. [PMID: 34948939 PMCID: PMC8707504 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182413318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
We conducted a large-scale survey in the Japanese population, about one year after the initial declaration of the state of emergency, to investigate alcohol use under the prolonged coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its related psychosocial and demographic characteristics. The survey was conducted online between 15 and 20 June 2021. A total of 11,427 participants were included in the analysis (48.5% female, 48.82 ± 13.30 years, range = 20-90 years). Compared with females, males were more prevalent in the hazardous user and the potential alcoholism group and were less prevalent in the no alcohol-related problem group. However, the prevalence of potential alcoholism among the participants in our study was higher than that previously reported. This trend was particularly pronounced in women. The presence of potential alcoholism was related to a deteriorated psychological status, particularly depression and anxiety, and various difficulties in their daily lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the future, intervention methods and systems should be developed to provide optimal assistance to people with psychological problems who are vulnerable to alcohol-related problems during the COVID-19 pandemic, while conducting further long-term follow-up studies.
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Bhoyroo R, Chivers P, Millar L, Bulsara C, Piggott B, Lambert M, Codde J. Life in a time of COVID: a mixed method study of the changes in lifestyle, mental and psychosocial health during and after lockdown in Western Australians. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1947. [PMID: 34702238 PMCID: PMC8547299 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11971-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Western Australian government imposed multiple restrictions that impacted daily life activities and the social life. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on the community's physical, mental and psychosocial health. METHODS Approximately 2 months after a three-month lockdown, a cross-sectional study was opened to Western Australian adults for an 8-week period (25th August - 21 October 2020). Participants competed a 25-min questionnaire adapted from the Western Australia Health and Wellbeing Surveillance system. Participants provided information on their socio-demographic status, lifestyle behaviours, mental health, and psychosocial health during and post-lockdown. Open-ended questions explored key issues in greater detail. Changes between the lockdown and post-lockdown period were assessed using Wilcoxon signed rank test and One-Sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov Normal tests as appropriate. Sex differences were examined using the Mann-Whitney U test. A content analysis approach examined responses to the open-ended questions with frequencies and variations in responses determined using Chi-Square tests. RESULTS A total of 547 complete responses were obtained. Compared to post-lockdown period, lockdown was associated with a significantly lower levels of physical activity, poorer mental well-being and sense of control over one's life, and a higher level of loneliness. Similarly, during lockdown, there was a significantly higher consumption of junk food, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks but no change in fruit and vegetable intake. Participants recalled health campaigns on hand washing and social distancing and there was a retrospective view that more timely and informative campaigns on physical activity, nutrition and mental well-being should have been available during lockdown. CONCLUSIONS While advice on infection control measures were appropriately provided, there is a need for concurrent health promotional information to help combat the changes in physical, mental and psychosocial well-being observed during quarantine to prevent negative health consequences in the community even if there are minimal effects of the pandemic itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranila Bhoyroo
- Institute for Health Research, The University of Notre Dame Australia, 19 Mouat Street, PO Box 1225, Fremantle, Western Australia, 6959, Australia. .,School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia. .,School of Health Sciences, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Perth, Australia. .,Disciplines of Psychology and Exercise Science, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia.
| | - Paola Chivers
- Institute for Health Research, The University of Notre Dame Australia, 19 Mouat Street, PO Box 1225, Fremantle, Western Australia, 6959, Australia.,School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia
| | - Lynne Millar
- Institute for Health Research, The University of Notre Dame Australia, 19 Mouat Street, PO Box 1225, Fremantle, Western Australia, 6959, Australia.,School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Caroline Bulsara
- Institute for Health Research, The University of Notre Dame Australia, 19 Mouat Street, PO Box 1225, Fremantle, Western Australia, 6959, Australia
| | - Ben Piggott
- School of Health Sciences, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Michelle Lambert
- School of Health Sciences, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Perth, Australia.,Injury Matters, Perth, Australia
| | - Jim Codde
- Institute for Health Research, The University of Notre Dame Australia, 19 Mouat Street, PO Box 1225, Fremantle, Western Australia, 6959, Australia.,Division of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
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Changes in Alcohol Consumption during the COVID-19 Pandemic Are Dependent on Initial Consumption Level: Findings from Eight European Countries. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph181910547. [PMID: 34639847 PMCID: PMC8508389 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Evidence suggests that changes in alcohol consumption during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic were unevenly distributed over consumer groups. We investigated possible inter-country differences in how changes in alcohol consumption are contingent on initial consumption (before or at the start of the pandemic), and how changes in consumption translate into possible changes in the prevalence of heavy drinking. We used data from the European Survey on Alcohol use and COVID-19 (ESAC) conducted in Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Norway, Poland, Spain, and the UK (N = 31921). Past-year alcohol consumption and changes in consumption were measured by AUDIT-C. Drinking habits were compared according to percentiles of pre-pandemic consumption levels, below versus above the 90th percentile. Across countries, drinkers in the highest 10% for pre-pandemic consumption increased their drinking during the pandemic, whereas absolute changes among those initially drinking below this level were modest. The percentage of people reporting >28 alcohol units/week increased significantly in seven of eight countries. During the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, alcohol consumption in the upper decile of the drinkers increased as did the prevalence of heavy drinkers, in contrast with a declining consumption in other groups in the sample.
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Xiong J, Tang Z, Zhu Y, Xu K, Yin Y, Xi Y. Change of Consumption Behaviours in the Pandemic of COVID-19: Examining Residents' Consumption Expenditure and Driving Determinants. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:9209. [PMID: 34501796 PMCID: PMC8431450 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18179209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated changes of individuals' consumption behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic and explored the driving determinants in consumption expenditure in Zhejiang China. Based on the 454 samples of survey data, which were collected in 2020 and 2021, it showed a reduction trend in consumption expenditure during the pandemic. Compared to the consumptions before the pandemic, money spent on housing, food, and beverage did not change too much. However, expenditures on wearing, recreation, and education reduced. Age, family size, and household income were significant to the expenditure changes. Online shopping became an important alternative way for residents during the pandemic and the trend is expected to continue even after the pandemic. Based on the findings, suggestions are summarized as two points. First, the young and single residents are the main group for recovering the consumption for wearing, recreation, education, and public transport. Meanwhile, to improve the satisfactions in online shopping, regulations should be issued by the government in improving the quality of goods and service.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimin Xiong
- Faculty of Maritime and Transportation, Ningbo University, 169 Qixinnan Road, Meishan, Beilun District, Ningbo 315211, China; (J.X.); (Z.T.); (Y.Z.); (K.X.)
| | - Zhanfeng Tang
- Faculty of Maritime and Transportation, Ningbo University, 169 Qixinnan Road, Meishan, Beilun District, Ningbo 315211, China; (J.X.); (Z.T.); (Y.Z.); (K.X.)
| | - Yufeng Zhu
- Faculty of Maritime and Transportation, Ningbo University, 169 Qixinnan Road, Meishan, Beilun District, Ningbo 315211, China; (J.X.); (Z.T.); (Y.Z.); (K.X.)
| | - Kefeng Xu
- Faculty of Maritime and Transportation, Ningbo University, 169 Qixinnan Road, Meishan, Beilun District, Ningbo 315211, China; (J.X.); (Z.T.); (Y.Z.); (K.X.)
| | - Yanhong Yin
- Faculty of Maritime and Transportation, Ningbo University, 169 Qixinnan Road, Meishan, Beilun District, Ningbo 315211, China; (J.X.); (Z.T.); (Y.Z.); (K.X.)
| | - Yang Xi
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, 818 Fenghua Road, Jiangbei District, Ningbo 315211, China
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