Drinking Problems of Hepatitis B Virus Healthy Carriers in Korean Population.
- Author:
Kab Sung KIM
1
;
Sang Hoon PARK
;
Dong Su CHO
;
Jae Chang HONG
;
Jong Sung KIM
;
Byoung Kang PARK
;
Sung Soo KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Korea. jskim@cnuh.co.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
hepatitis B virus carriers;
drinking problem;
heavy drinking;
AUDIT
- MeSH:
Alcohol Drinking;
Chungcheongnam-do;
Drinking*;
Female;
Health Promotion;
Hepatitis B virus*;
Hepatitis B*;
Hepatitis*;
Humans;
Korea;
Male;
Primary Health Care;
Surveys and Questionnaires
- From:Journal of the Korean Academy of Family Medicine
2005;26(3):145-151
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Heavy drinking may be a cause of serious health problems in hepatitis B virus carriers. The aim of this study was to reveal the degree of drinking problems in the Korean hepatitis B virus healthy carriers. METHODS: The subjects were 218 hepatitis B virus healthy carriers (124 males and 94 females) recruited from those who visited the Health Promotion Center of Chungnam National University Hospital for a general health check-up. Drinking problems of the subjects were evaluated by the AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) questionnaire. RESULTS: The AUDIT scores (mean+/-SD) of the male subjects (9.6+/-7.9) were significantly (P <0.001) higher than those of the female subjects (2.7+/-5.2). The individuals with heavy drinking (more than 14 drinks in males and 7 drinks in females per week) are 24 (19.4%) in males and 5 (5.3%) in females. Alcohol use disorders were suspected in 36 (29.0%) males and 4 (4.3%) females. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that, in Korea, clinical attention in primary health care should be focused on reducing the alcohol consumption among the hepatitis B virus carriers, considering a large proportion have drinking problems and the possible harmful effect on their health by heavy drinking.
