Prevalence of alcohol use disorders in primary health-care facilities in Russia in 2019

AIMS: To estimate prevalence of alcohol use disorders (AUD) and alcohol dependence (AD) for Russia in 2019, based on clients in primary health-care facilities.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional assessment of AUD and AD. Prevalence estimates were cross-validated using a treatment multiplier methodology.

SETTING: A total of 21 primary health-care facilities, including dispanserization units (population health preventive care settings).

PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2022 participants (986 women and 1036 men) 18 years of age and older.

MEASUREMENTS: Composite International Diagnostic Interview.

FINDINGS: The prevalence of AD and AUD was 7.0% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.9-8.1%] and 12.2% (95% CI = 10.8-13.6%), respectively. Marked sex differences were observed for the prevalence of AD (women: 2.8%; 95% CI = 1.7-3.8%; men: 12.2%; 95% CI = 10.3-14.1%) and AUD (women: 6.1%; 95% CI = 4.6-7.7%; men: 19.5%; 95% CI = 17.2-21.8%). Age patterns of AD and AUD prevalence were sex-specific. Among women, the prevalence of AUD and AD was highest in the youngest age group and decreased with age. Among men, the prevalence of AUD and AD was highest among men aged 45-59 years. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the prevalence of AD as estimated using a treatment multiplier (6.5%; 95% CI = 5.0-8.9%) was similar to the estimates of the main analysis.

CONCLUSIONS: Even though alcohol use has declined since 2003 in Russia, the prevalence of alcohol use disorders and alcohol dependence remains high at approximately 12 and 7%, respectively.