An assessment of alcohol abuse in Vietnam

Đam Viet Cuong, Vu Minh Hanh and colleagues

Objectives

To assess the situation of alcohol abuse in Vietnam; To investigate factors that influence the increasing trend of alcohol abuse and the implementation of prevention policies at both central and local levels; To review policies o­n alcohol abuse prevention in the region and the world;To describethe implementation of prevention policies at both central and local levels in Vietnam; To recommend and prioritize policies for alcohol abuse prevention and control in Vietnam.

Methods

Secondary data analysis, household survey, in-depth interview, and focus group discussion.

Results

- Most countries in the world issued policies to reduce alcohol related harms.

- Production and consumption of alcohol consistently increased in in the recent years.

- About 33.3% of respondents reported having consumed alcohol at least o­nce a week. 18% of respondents were wine abusers and 5% were beer abusers (based o­n WHO criteria). Influence from friends and personal excitement were the main reasons for alcohol use.

- Majority of the drinkers (95.7%) reported having taking home-made alcohol. Average alcohol consumption was rather high at 6.4 units/day.

- Economic costs of alcohol use was considerable for consumers, their families and the society.

- did not have a comprehensive alcohol abuse prevention and control policy.

Recommendations

- The Ministry of Health should develop and submit a national alcohol abuse prevention and control policy to the Government for its consideration and approval.

- Management and control of home-made alcohol should be enhanced. Prohibition o­n alcohol advertising, marketing, promotion, and sponsorship should be implemented.

- Strengthen information, education and communication activities o­n alcohol-related harms o­n mass media.

- Surveillance network of alcohol use and abuse in community should be established.

Other news:

---

• Indicators based survey serving the National Target Programs to 2010 and vision to 2020 (20/03/2009)
• Impacts of resources and socioeconomic factors on eyecare and blindness prevention and control (20/03/2009)
• The need for safety equipments at home and in farming activities (03/08/2006)
• Evaluation of accidents, injuries and deaths situation at schools and workplaces after the intervention in Thanh Mien district, Hai Duong province (03/08/2006)
• Epidemiology of injuries in the Red river delta, Vietnam (03/08/2006)