Alcoholic Consumption of Young Italians During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

Title:Alcoholic Consumption of Young Italians During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

Volume: 17 Issue: 2

Author(s): Alessandro Federico, Chiara Mazzarella*, Annamaria Spina, Marcello Dallio, Mario Romeo, Mario Masarone, Marcello Persico, Antonietta Gerarda Gravina, Francesco Luzza, Ludovico Abenavoli, Maurizio Di Mauro and Carmelina Loguercio

Affiliation:

• Hepatogastroenterology Division, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Piazza Luigi Miraglia 2, 80138, Naples, Italy

Keywords: Sars-Cov 2 Pandemic, alcohol consumption, purchased alcohol, young Italians, social restrictions, risky behavior.

Abstract:

Background: The international health emergency caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which, at the end of 2019, hit the world, forced the governments of all countries to adopt stringent restrictive measures to contain the spread of the virus. Several studies have revealed worsening levels of anxiety, depression and perceived stress related to these restrictions and the resulting lifestyle changes. Some studies have also confirmed the presence of a relationship between SARS-CoV-2-related emotional distress and drinking behavior. Indeed, is a wellknown fact that alcohol consumption is one of the behavioral strategies used to reduce negative emotional states. However, it was documented that young people developed different responses to alcohol use during the pandemic than adults.

Objective: The aim of this work was to investigate the consumption habits of young Italians and how the consumption and purchase of alcoholic beverages have changed following the pandemic. New ways of drinking alcohol were also interesting to observe, such as online.

Methods: Young people between 18 and 35 years old were subjected to an anonymous questionnaire of 22 questions on the adoption of forms of behavior at risk through alcohol consumption, the quantity and occasions of preferential consumption, and on the methods and quantities of alcoholic beverage purchase, before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The subjects who declared themselves "non-drinkers" were not included in the statistical survey.

Results: About 33% of the enrolled "drinkers" (268/823), adopted risky forms of alcoholic behavior. Males reported a higher average habit of drinking wine or alcohol (M = 1.9953 ± 1.39743, F = 1.7373 ± 1.36688, p <0.005); an increased frequency of drinking (M = 2.3025 ± 0.80610 F = 2.0494 ± 0.75043 p <0.001); a higher average number of drinks consumed (M = 1.5182 ± 0.85646, F = 1.2618 ± 0.53292, p <0.001) and binge drinking to the greatest extent (M = 1.1933 ± 0.96522 F = 0.8176 ± 0.85446 p <0.001). Education and employment were significantly correlated with the frequency of alcohol consumption (r = 0.107 p <0.005 and r = 0.120 p = 0.001 respectively). Subjects reported buying alcoholic beverages during the pandemic with a frequency of "less than once a month" (N = 291, 35.36%) and mainly in shops (N = 556, 67.56%), while before the pandemic they mainly bought alcohol once a week (N = 431, 52.37%) and predominantly in bars / clubs (N = 619, 75.21%). New ways of drinking alcohol such as online drinking, have not been significantly identified.

Conclusion: A change in alcohol consumed and alcohol purchased before and during the SARSCoV- 2 pandemic was revealed.

Cite this article as:

Federico Alessandro, Mazzarella Chiara*, Spina Annamaria, Dallio Marcello, Romeo Mario, Masarone Mario, Persico Marcello, Gravina Gerarda Antonietta, Luzza Francesco, Abenavoli Ludovico, Di Mauro Maurizio and Loguercio Carmelina, Alcoholic Consumption of Young Italians During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic, Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials 2022; 17 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1574887117666220602100325