Awareness and beliefs about alcohol use among women in India

ABSTRACT Understanding the beliefs and attitudes of the people in community towards drinking among women is important, as this is likely to affect social support and social integration of women recovering from alcohol use disorders (AUDs). The present study aimed to examine awareness and beliefs about alcohol use among women in India from women in the community. The sample comprised of 60 women drawn from an urban community of India using snowball sampling technique. All participants were over 18 years of age and were assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test and a semi-structured interview schedule (SIS) developed for the study. The SIS assessed participants’ awareness about alcohol use among women, beliefs about risk and protective factors and the need for treatment among women with alcohol use problems. Findings indicated that women from the community stigmatized and stereotyped women with AUDs, but only to a mild degree. To a large extent, they were aware of alcohol use problems among women and the possible risk and protective factors associated with the same. These findings have significance for strengthening social support for recovery and rehabilitation of women with alcohol use problems in India.