Alcohol use related injury in Northwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Alcohol-related violence resulting in injury is a global public health problem and Africa is no exception. In the country of Ethiopia, there is a lack of statistical evidence regarding this issue. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence prevalence of alcohol-related violence and injury and its associative factors. Hospital based crosssectional research method was employed from January to June 30, 2014. The source population and study population were all interpersonal violence injured patients in the emergency department of University of Gondar Hospital. Data were collected using injury surveillance guidelines developed by the World Health Organization. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to identify the presence and strength of association. Odds ratios with 95% confidence interval were computed to determine the level of significance. A total of 395 participants were involved in the study. The proportion of ARVI was found to be 119 (30.1%); gender, poor behavioral control and poor family functioning were found to be independently associated with alcohol-related interpersonal violence injury. The prevalence of alcohol-related violence and injury is high in Ethiopia. There is an urgent need to step up health advocacy with respect to reducing alcohol consumption in the country.

Keywords: Alcohol, Emergency Department, injury, violence