Drinking Patterns, Sociodemographic Correlates and Sex Differences Among Ghanaians Aged 15-49 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

Alcohol use varies by sex, but studies in Ghana have not formally tested whether sociodemographic correlates of drinking patterns differ between males and females. This study examined drinking patterns, their sociodemographic correlates and sex differences among Ghanaians aged 15-49 years.

METHODS

Dataset from 21,291 Ghanaians aged 15-49 years in the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey was analysed. Drinking patterns of respondents were classified on the basis of self-reported quantity per drinking day. Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (AOR) accounting for sociodemographic confounders. Sex differences in sociodemographic correlates were tested using a single combined model with sex-interaction terms.

RESULTS

Overall, prevalence of abstinence, moderate, low-risk and heavy drinking were 81.6%, 11.3%, 4.1% and 3.0%, respectively. Males were strongly associated with moderate (AOR = 3.235; 95% CI = 2.801, 3.737), low-risk (AOR = 1.809; 95% CI = 1.389, 2.355) and heavy drinking (AOR = 3.910; 95% CI = 2.881, 5.305). Older age, parenthood and employment increased odds of drinking patterns; marriage was protective. Significant sex interactions for heavy drinking versus abstinence contrast were found for age (p < 0.001), education (p < 0.001), marital status (p < 0.001), wealth (p = 0.009), parenthood (p < 0.001) and employment (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study found that 18.4% of Ghanaians aged 15-49 years drink alcohol in varying patterns. Sociodemographic correlates of heavy drinking differ significantly between males and females. Sex-stratified estimates suggest similar patterns for other drinking categories, though these were not formally tested. This supports the need for tailored, sex-sensitive alcohol interventions.