Hazardous alcohol-drinking problems among a Chinese hospital patient population

Aim: The aims of this study were to explore: (1) the prevalence and predictors for hazardous alcohol-drinking problems; and (2) previous assessments and interventions for alcohol-drinking problems in hospitalized Chinese patients. Background: Alcohol is legally accessible and widely used in Taiwan, but few studies have addressed alcohol-drinking problems in hospital settings. Design: A cross-sectional design was used. Method: Self-report data were collected in 2009 from 484 patients at five randomly selected general teaching hospitals. Findings: The prevalence of hazardous alcohol-drinking problems was 19·2%. Logistic regression analysis revealed that predictors for hazardous drinking problems were being male, smoking, and chewing betel quid. Only 29·1% of participants had been assessed for drinking problems in the past year. Only 38·7% of participants with drinking problems had received a drinking intervention in the past year. Conclusion: These findings suggest that alcohol problems in Taiwanese general teaching hospitals are insufficiently assessed and targeted with interventions. Targeting high-risk groups in general teaching hospitals is important to prevent patients' drinking problems.