Changes in Alcohol Consumption Pattern Based on Gender during COVID-19 Confinement in Spain

Víctor J. Villanueva-Blasco, Verónica Villanueva Silvestre, Manuel Isorna, Patricia Motos, Pere Blay and Andrea Vázquez-Martínez
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Víctor J. Villanueva-Blasco: Faculty of Health Sciences, Valencian International University, 46002 Valencia, Spain
Verónica Villanueva Silvestre: Faculty of Health Sciences, Valencian International University, 46002 Valencia, Spain
Manuel Isorna: Faculty of Education and Social Work, Campus As Lagoas, University of Vigo, 32004 Ourense, Spain
Patricia Motos: Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Pere Blay: School of Science and Technology, Valencian International University, 46002 Valencia, Spain
Andrea Vázquez-Martínez: Faculty of Health Sciences, Valencian International University, 46002 Valencia, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 15, 1-12

Abstract: (1) The goal of this study was to analyze the prevalence and pattern of alcohol consumption (frequency of consumption, average daily consumption, and risky consumption) before and during confinement due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the adult population and based on gender. (2) Methods: Data from 3779 individuals were collected via a set of online surveys. The AUDIT alcohol consumption questions (AUDIT-C) were used to measure the frequency of consumption, the average daily consumption, intensive consumption, risky consumption, and standard drink units. (3) Results: During confinement, the prevalence of alcohol consumption declined in both males and females, but only intensive consumption showed significant differences, with a greater reduction in males. The number of females who consumed alcohol four or more times per week doubled, whereas the number of males who did so was multiplied by a factor of 1.5; in both females and males, the percentage who presented intensive consumption doubled. The percentage of females with risky consumption was higher than that of males both before and during confinement. In addition to gender, the interaction between age and the employment situation explain consumption before and during confinement. (4) Conclusions: During confinement due to COVID-19, alcohol consumption declined in both sexes, but alcohol-risk consumers increased their frequency of use. The interaction between gender, age, and employment situation was related to these changes. These findings are relevant for guiding public health and health-risk management policies related to alcohol consumption in environmental situations similar to COVID-19.

Keywords: alcohol; risk consumption; standard drink unit (SDU); COVID-19; confinement measures; gender (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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