Abstract
The objective of this study was to report drinking patterns and alcohol-related health risks using Provincial Alcohol Problem Index (PAPI) of Thai population by region and province. Data from the 2017 Cigarette Smoking and Alcohol Drinking Behavior Survey, a stratified two-stage random sampling to select 120,003 Thai participants aged 15 years and over, were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The prevalence was estimated by weighted proportion and presented at national, regional and provincial levels. A composite PAPI score, ranging from 0-1, was also calculated to represent a relative level of alcohol risk problem in each province. At regional level, the Northern and Northeastern regions had the highest prevalence of adult (35.4% and 32.8%, respectively) and adolescent drinkers (19.0% and 16.8%, respectively), while the Central and Southern regions had the highest proportions of regular to heavy drinkers and drink driving. Provinces with the highest PAPI score were scattered in the Northern and Central regions, including Lampang (0.72 point), Chiang Rai (0.69 point), Phitsanulok (0.65 point), Chantaburi (0.64 point) and Sukhothai (0.63 point). This study showed that alcohol use and related problems remained significant health issues in Thailand with a diversity of specific problems that needed to be prioritized in each local area. Lampang, Chiang Rai, Northern, and Northeastern regions should urgently consider these issues. These hence warrant comprehensive measures targeting both establishment of local community actions and national alcohol policies.
