Alcohol Use and Risk of Non-Communicable Diseases Among Male Adults: A Comparative Study of an Urban and Rural Setting in Zimbabwe.

Alcohol consumption has been associated with metabolic risk factors (hypertension and diabetes) for non-communicable diseases (NCDS). No studies have been done in Zimbabwe linking alcohol consumption patterns and metabolic risk factors for NCDs. This study sought to compare the prevalence of alcohol consumption levels and practices between rural and urban areas among male adults and assess the relationship between alcohol consumption and metabolic risk factors for NCDs. This study made use of the cross-sectional survey using the WHO stepwise questionnaire. The indicator used in the sample size calculation was based on the proportion of men and women found to be obese when using the standard BMI measurement adopted in the 2010 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health survey. This gave a sample size of 400 with 200 participants from each of the 2 provinces. Regression analysis was performed for relationships between alcohol consumption and blood pressure, blood glucose and demographic variables. The high-income earners consumed more than the low-income earners. Those aged 25 to 34 years were more likely to consume more than those aged 18 to 24 years. The rural group was 79% (0.207 [0.770-0.559] P < .001.) less likely to have consumed 9 or more standard drinks per occasion. Respondents that practised risky alcohol consumption were more likely to have elevated blood glucose; OR, 13.629 (6.274- 29.141) P < .001. The urban group consumed alcohol more that the rural group. Alcohol consumption was significantly associated with elevated blood glucose.