Theron, Marieke, Swart, Rina, Londani, Mukhethwa et al. (3 more authors) (2022) Did COVID-19-related alcohol sales restrictions reduce alcohol consumption?:Findings from a national online survey in South Africa. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2422. ISSN 1660-4601
Abstract
BACKGROUND: South Africa has a high prevalence of heavy episodic drinking (HED). Due to the high levels of alcohol misuse and violence, public hospital intensive care units were often overrun during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research investigated alcohol intake behaviour change during differing levels of lockdown restrictions, which included bans on alcohol sales. METHODS: A self-reported Facebook survey ran from July to November 2020. The questions included socio-demographics, income, alcohol intake, purchasing behaviour, and reasoning. Chi-square tests/Fisher's exact test for categorical data, Student's t-test for normal continuous data, and the Mann-Whitney U test for non-normal data were applied. Multiple logistic regression was run for HED versus moderate drinkers. RESULTS: A total of 798 participants took part in the survey, of which 68.40 needed to relax, and were bored. CONCLUSIONS: Policies intended to increase the pricing of alcohol may have the potential to reduce alcohol intake. Reducing stress and anxiety may be key to curtailing HED during emergency situations.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2022 by the authors |
Keywords: | COVID-19 pandemic,Facebook,anxiety,coping mechanisms,depression and alcohol policies,heavy episodic drinking,illegal alcohol sales,lockdown |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Health Sciences (York) |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 18 Apr 2024 15:50 |
Last Modified: | 29 Jan 2025 06:09 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042422 |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.3390/ijerph19042422 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:211639 |
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Filename: ijerph-19-02422-v2.pdf
Description: Did COVID-19-Related Alcohol Sales Restrictions Reduce Alcohol Consumption? Findings from a National Online Survey in South Africa
Licence: CC-BY 2.5