Exploring the Trends, Patterns, and Prevalence of Alcohol Consumption in Sikkim: Insights from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)

This study aims to explore the trends, patterns, and prevalence of alcohol consumption and its association with sociodemographic characteristics in Sikkim while taking insights from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS). Building on existing studies that discuss the socio-cultural importance of alcohol in hill regions like Sikkim, the research also brings attention to the public health impacts. The recent National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) highlights that Sikkimese women rank second and men third in alcohol consumption prevalence across the country. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression model analyses which calculated the odds ratio estimated the prevalence and frequency of alcohol consumption across sociodemographic characteristics considering significant at 95% confidence interval with the help of STATA version 17 software. The results show there has been a gradual decline in alcohol consumption over the past years, particularly between NFHS-4 and NFHS-5. Further, alcohol consumption is highest in NFHS-4, with 51% of men and 23% of women reporting use. Rural women in NFHS-5 had higher odds of alcohol consumption (aOR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.26-1.27), and men with higher education showed increased odds in NFHS-4 (aOR, 1.41; 95% CI, 0.79-2.50) and NFHS-5 (aOR, 1.22; 95% CI, 0.54-2.75). Buddhist/Neo-Buddhists had higher odds than Hindus, while Scheduled Tribe women had higher odds in NFHS-3 (aOR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.63-1.67) and NFHS-4 (aOR, 2.01; 95% CI, 0.81-5.01), and wealthier women in NFHS-5 had increased odds (aOR, 2.60; 95% CI, 2.60-2.60 for middle and aOR, 2.06; 95% CI, 2.05-2.06 for rich). The frequency of alcohol consumption shows an increase in daily drinking among rural women and a decline in daily drinking among men, with sociodemographic factors like age, education, wealth, and occupation influencing these patterns across three surveys. In conclusion, alcohol consumption in Sikkim is shaped by complex socio-cultural, economic, and spatial factors, with high prevalence rates, especially in rural areas, but the gradual decline and shifting drinking patterns, particularly among women, highlight the need for continued, culturally sensitive public health efforts to reduce alcohol-related harm and promote health.