Title:Alcoholic Consumption of Young Italians During the SARS-CoV-2
Pandemic
Volume: 17
Issue: 2
Author(s): Alessandro Federico, Chiara Mazzarella*, Annamaria Spina, Marcello Dallio, Mario Romeo, Mario Masarone, Marcello Persico, Antonietta Gerarda Gravina, Francesco Luzza, Ludovico Abenavoli, Maurizio Di Mauro and Carmelina Loguercio
Affiliation:
- Hepatogastroenterology Division, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”,
Piazza Luigi Miraglia 2, 80138, Naples, Italy
Keywords:
Sars-Cov 2 Pandemic, alcohol consumption, purchased alcohol, young Italians, social restrictions, risky behavior.
Abstract:
Background: The international health emergency caused by the severe acute respiratory
syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which, at the end of 2019, hit the world, forced the governments
of all countries to adopt stringent restrictive measures to contain the spread of the virus. Several
studies have revealed worsening levels of anxiety, depression and perceived stress related to these
restrictions and the resulting lifestyle changes. Some studies have also confirmed the presence of a relationship
between SARS-CoV-2-related emotional distress and drinking behavior. Indeed, is a wellknown
fact that alcohol consumption is one of the behavioral strategies used to reduce negative emotional
states. However, it was documented that young people developed different responses to alcohol
use during the pandemic than adults.
Objective: The aim of this work was to investigate the consumption habits of young Italians and how
the consumption and purchase of alcoholic beverages have changed following the pandemic. New
ways of drinking alcohol were also interesting to observe, such as online.
Methods: Young people between 18 and 35 years old were subjected to an anonymous questionnaire
of 22 questions on the adoption of forms of behavior at risk through alcohol consumption, the quantity
and occasions of preferential consumption, and on the methods and quantities of alcoholic beverage
purchase, before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The subjects who declared themselves
"non-drinkers" were not included in the statistical survey.
Results: About 33% of the enrolled "drinkers" (268/823), adopted risky forms of alcoholic behavior.
Males reported a higher average habit of drinking wine or alcohol (M = 1.9953 ± 1.39743, F = 1.7373
± 1.36688, p <0.005); an increased frequency of drinking (M = 2.3025 ± 0.80610 F = 2.0494 ±
0.75043 p <0.001); a higher average number of drinks consumed (M = 1.5182 ± 0.85646, F = 1.2618
± 0.53292, p <0.001) and binge drinking to the greatest extent (M = 1.1933 ± 0.96522 F = 0.8176 ±
0.85446 p <0.001). Education and employment were significantly correlated with the frequency of alcohol
consumption (r = 0.107 p <0.005 and r = 0.120 p = 0.001 respectively). Subjects reported buying
alcoholic beverages during the pandemic with a frequency of "less than once a month" (N = 291,
35.36%) and mainly in shops (N = 556, 67.56%), while before the pandemic they mainly bought alcohol
once a week (N = 431, 52.37%) and predominantly in bars / clubs (N = 619, 75.21%). New
ways of drinking alcohol such as online drinking, have not been significantly identified.
Conclusion: A change in alcohol consumed and alcohol purchased before and during the SARSCoV-
2 pandemic was revealed.
