ABSTRACT
The purpose of the study was to describe the types of non-beverage alcohol consumed, to evaluate socio-demographic factors associated with its use and to establish effectiveness of the alcohol policy measures taken since 2005 and targeted on reducing non-beverage alcohol consumption. From December 2015 to April 2017, 302 patients of the narcological dispensary were interviewed. The prevalence of non-beverage alcohol drinking among those who reported on their non-beverage alcohol consumption status amounted to 75.8% among males and 57.7% among females. The highest prevalence of non-beverage alcohol consumption (86.9%) was identified among males employed in irregular paid work. According to multivariate analysis, the factors positively associated with the use of non-beverage alcohol were male gender (OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.14-5.43), employment on irregular paid work (or 5.0, 95% CI 2.16-11.56), unemployment in case of seeking work (or 3.55, 95% CI 1.45-8.71), unemployment in case of non-seeking work (OR 3.90, 95% CI 1.09-13.95). The types of non-beverage alcohol used for drinking included medicinal tinctures in 25, 40 and 100 ml vials, spirit cosmetic lotions, colognes, technical/medical ethanol, hygienic spirit solutions, alcohol-containing food flavor enhancers. The lower price as compared with conventional alcoholic beverages was indicated as main reason of non-beverage alcohol consumption (61.7%). The enhancement of previously introduced restrictive measures as well as the implementation of new legislative initiatives are required for more effective control of non-beverage alcohol consumption.
