Alcohol problems among patients attending five primary health care clinics in Harare city.

Modified versions of the CAGE and WHO AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) questionnaires were used to investigate drinking habits of patients attending primary care clinics in Harare in 1989. The questionnaires were administered to 483 consecutive patients of whom 63 pc were male and 37 pc female. The results showed that 41 pc of the patients were current drinkers, and over 60 pc of them were drinking to and beyond "safe limits". Thirty nine pc of the current drinkers drank at least three or more times per week. On an average drinking day 66 pc of the male drinkers consume 10 or more units of alcohol per day. On heavy drinking days 38.5 pc of the drinkers or 16 pc of the total sample consume more than 21 units per day. These sessions occurred around paydays. Thirteen (13.2 pc) of those who consume more than 10 units per heavy drinking session exceeded the recommended frequency levels i.e. not more than three times per week. Seventy five pc of drinkers stated that they drink to socialize or for recreational purposes. About 60 pc of the current drinkers had tried unsuccessfully to cut down or stop drinking. The main reason for such an attempt reported by 92 pc of them was health problems. More current drinkers presented with STD and work-related injuries compared to non-drinkers. None of the current drinkers were asked about their drinking habits by the health workers who attended to them at the clinic. No diagnosis of alcohol dependence or an alcohol problem was made by the Primary Health Care worker at the clinic.