Hazardous-harmful drinking in staff of Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai Campus, a pilot study

Hazardous-harmful drinking in staff of Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai Campus, a pilot study

Nisan Sumangsri, D. of Psychiatry, F. of Medicine, PSU.
Sawitri Assanangkornchai, Assoc. Prof., D. of Psychiatry, F. of Medicine, PSU.
Alan Geater, Epidemiology Unit, F. of Medicine, PSU.
Corresponding e-mail : asawitri@ratree.psu.ac.th

Grant : Faculty of Medicine, PSU.
Presented : The 16th Annual Academic Meeting, Faculty of Medicine, PSU., Hat Yai, Songkhla, 16-18 August 2000
Key words : hazardous-harmful drinking, alcohol use disorders (AUDs)

Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are a recognized cause of significant morbidity and mortality in the Thai population. Drinking among workers can threaten public safety, impair job performance and result in medical and other social problems. Early identification of those in early stages of alcohol patterns and providing appropriate intervention will improve individual health status, work performance and consequently productivity of the whole organization.

Aim : To determine the prevalence rate of hazardous-harmful drinking and alcohol dependence in a pilot sample of PSU staff.

Design : Cross-sectional mailed questionnaire survey.

Method : An Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) was sent to 500 staff in Hat Yai campus, including all five job categories (A, teaching, B, academic supporting, C, clerical, D, permanent and E, temporary employees) in 13 departments of 5 faculties in May 2000. A total of 280 questionnaires were returned, giving a response rate of 56%.

Result : Of 280 respondents, 43 were classified as hazardous-harmful drinkers (42 men, one woman), based on scoring > 8 by AUDIT, making a prevalence of 23%. Among men in job categories A to E, the prevalence were 13%, 26%, 17%, 25% and 48%, respectively.

Conclusion : Our pilot study shows considerably high prevalence of PSU drinkers whose drinking levels could be classified as moderate to high problem drinking. Further study is being done to survey the overall prevalence and factors-related to alcohol use problems in PSU staff.

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