Prevalence and Associated Factors of Hazardous Alcohol Use among Narikkuravar Men in Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu, India: A Cross-Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55489/njcm.170620266511Keywords:
Alcohol Use Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Social Determinants of Health, Tobacco Use Disorder, Tribal Health, Scheduled TribesAbstract
Background: Alcoholism is a major threat to the health and social well-being of Scheduled Tribes. Narikkuravars in Tamil Nadu face poverty, low health literacy, and limited healthcare access, predisposing them to hazardous drinking. The study assessed the occurrence of hazardous drinking and its associated drivers among Narikkuravars of Tirunelveli.
Methodology: A community-based cross-sectional study took place between August 2024 and July 2025 among 240 Narikkuravar men aged ≥15 years in Tirunelveli, using probability-proportional-to-size sampling. A structured questionnaire containing the PHQ-9 and WHO AUDIT was used to collect data, while SPSS version 25 was used to perform chi-square tests and binary logistic regression.
Results: In total, 67.1% scored ≥8 on the AUDIT, with 30.4% hazardous drinkers (8-15) and 36.7% having likely dependence (≥16). Marriage (AOR 26.64; 95% CI 2.49-284.96), tobacco consumption (AOR 5.48; 95% CI 2.19-13.71), and mild depressive symptoms (AOR 6.02; 95% CI 1.04-34.78) were significant independent predictors of an AUDIT score ≥8.
Conclusions: Hazardous or dependent alcohol use (AUDIT ≥8) among Narikkuravars was higher than national averages and associated with tobacco use and depressive symptoms, suggesting the need for integrated tribal interventions focusing on literacy, dual substance cessation, mental health support, and AUDIT-based screening.
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