This study found that socio-economic factors modify the association between alcohol use disorder and major depressive disorder among Thai people. The association between major depressive episode (MDE) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) was modified by wealth index, education level and area of residence.
Association between MDE and harmful-dependent alcohol use were high among those in the highest and lowest levels of wealth index but not significant among those in the middle level.
Education had the strongest effect on the relationship between MDE and harmful-dependent alcohol use.
The association between MDE and harmful-dependent alcohol use was higher among people who lived in urban areas compared to those living in rural areas.

Author

Sawitri Assanangkornchai, Jiraluck Nontarak, Wichai Aekplakorn, Suwat Chariyalertsak, Pattapong Kessomboon and Surasak Taneepanichskul

Citation

Assanangkornchai, S., Nontarak, J., Aekplakorn, W. et al. Socio-economic inequalities in the association between alcohol use disorder and depressive disorder among Thai adults: a population-based study. BMC Psychiatry 20, 553 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02958-6

Source
BMC Psychiatry
Release date
23/11/2020

Socio-Economic Inequalities in the Association Between Alcohol Use Disorder and Depressive Disorder Among Thai Adults: A Population-Based Study

Abstract

Background

Previous evidence indicates significant associations between depressive disorders and alcohol use disorder (AUD) and their strong links with social conditions. This study aims to investigate the association between major depressive episode (MDE) and AUD across various socio-economic groups.

Methods

This study analyzed data from the 2014 Thai National Health Examination Survey containing a random sample of 13,177 adults aged > 20 years from the general population. The Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test was used to classify respondents into non-problem alcohol use (score 0–7), hazardous alcohol use (score 8–15), and harmful-dependent alcohol use (score 16–40). MDE was identified using questions based on the DSM-IV. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using multinomial logistic regression to determine the strength of associations between MDE as a predictor and AUD as an outcome variable across different socio-economic levels.

Results

The prevalence of MDE, hazardous, and harmful-dependent alcohol use was 2.5, 10.3, and 1.9%, respectively. The association between MDE and AUD was modified by wealth index, education level and area of residence. AORs for the association between MDE and harmful-dependent alcohol use were high among those in the highest (AOR = 8.68, 95% CI: 5.34, 14.11) and lowest (AOR = 7.14, 95% CI: 3.71, 13.73) levels of wealth index but not significant among those in the middle level (AOR = 1.78, 95% CI: 0.74, 4.25). Education had the strongest effect on the relationship between MDE and harmful-dependent alcohol use (AOR = 16.0, 95% CI: 10.30, 24.90 among those completing secondary school or higher and AOR = 1.44, 95% CI: 0.63, 3.33 among those completing primary school only). The association between MDE and harmful-dependent alcohol use was higher among people who lived in urban areas (AOR = 8.50, 95% CI: 5.50, 13.13) compared to those living in rural areas (AOR = 4.73, 95% CI: 3.31, 6.77).

Conclusion

Socio-economic factors modify the association between alcohol use disorder and major depressive disorder among Thai people.

Source Website: BMC