Consumption and Risks of Alcohol- and Violence-related Injuries: A Chinese Experience

Numerous emergency room (ER) studies have implicated alcohol as a major risk factor for injury. Using data collected from 5 emergency departments (n=2,540) in China we examined the associations between consumption and alcohol- and violence-related injuries. Alcohol-related injury was defined either by self-report or by a positive BAC level, while intentional injury was defined as injury caused intentionally either by someone else or self inflicted. Usual consumption in the past year and the acute consumption prior to injury were entered into the multivariate regression analyses as exposure variables while controlling for study site, sociodemographic characteristics and location of injury. Results indicated that the risks of alcohol-related injury associated with drinking 12+ drinks at least monthly in the last year were about three-fold (OR=3.10) of those who did not drink in the past year. Likewise, the risks of violence-related injury associated with volume of acute consumption > 50 grams, or BAC > 0.08 were about two-fold (OR=2.17 and 2.44, respectively) compared to those whose acute consumption did not exceed 50 grams or BAC <=0.08. As China undergoing an unprecedented economic growth there is dramatic increase in the prevalences of alcohol use, abuse, dependence, and associated disabilities including injuries. The challenges facing the Chinese legislative officials and public health professionals include devising and implementing strategies and public health campaigns to address the rising rates of alcohol use disorders and related disabilities including alcohol-related injuries.