Changes in Alcohol Consumption among Different Population Groups during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: Outcomes of the Slovenian Cross-Sectional National Survey (SI-PANDA).

BACKGROUND: Slovenia ranks amongst the countries with the highest recorded alcohol consumption. The mortality rate attributed to alcohol-related causes of death in Slovenia also exceeds the EU average. The aim of our research was to confirm the changes in alcohol consumption in Slovenia during the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic on a representative sample and to identify vulnerable groups at higher risk of increasing alcohol consumption. METHODS: Two consecutive data collections of the National Survey on the Impact of the Pandemic on Life, each in different epidemiological situations, were conducted. A structured questionnaire was used to monitor the number of alcoholic beverages consumed during the pandemic, compared to the time before the pandemic. RESULTS: The majority of the population did not change the number of alcoholic beverages consumed, and among those with changes, there were significantly more of those who drank less than those who drank more. Among respondents who drank a greater number of alcoholic beverages, statistically significantly higher proportions were found in younger age groups, people with post-secondary vocational education or higher, and people with a higher probability of mental health problems. CONCLUSIONS: During the pandemic crisis, we need to pay special attention to vulnerable groups that are at higher risk of increasing alcohol use.

Changes in The Use of Alcohol and Tobacco in Slovenia During the First Wave of The SARS-COV-2 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: In the first months of 2020, the SARS-CoV-2 virus spread all over the world and numerous measures were adopted that had a strong impact on both personal and public life. This contribution explores changes in alcohol and tobacco use during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Slovenia. METHODS: Self-reported changes in alcohol and tobacco use during the first few months of the Covid-19 pandemic were recorded in 495 Slovenian adults, as part of the European Alcohol Use and COVID-19 survey. RESULTS: About half of the Slovenian sample indicated that the frequency of drinking occasions did not change in the months after the pandemic's outbreak, while the remainder stated either a decrease (26.0%) or an increase (24.2%). 23.1% reported a decrease and 17.3% an increase in the quantity of alcohol consumed per occasion. Respondents who reported that their overall alcohol consumption decreased were more likely to be male than female and more likely to be younger than middle-aged. Those who reported experiencing at least a substantial level of distress due to financial loss were at a four-times increased risk of reporting an increase in their alcohol consumption compared to individuals who reported no or only some financial distress. Of the 120 people reporting the use of tobacco, almost half indicated an increase in tobacco consumption within the previous month, and about 20% reported a decrease in use. The differences in the results between Slovenia and other European countries are small and the overall pattern suggests that the situation in Slovenia was comparable to other European countries. CONCLUSION: As this pandemic continues to evolve, further monitoring is needed to identify the long-term effects of alcohol and tobacco use on public health in relation to the management of COVID-19.

Association of Selected Area-Level Indicators With Suicide Mortality in Slovenian Municipalities.

Background: With an average suicide rate of 20 per 100,000 in the last decade, Slovenia is above the EU average. There are considerable regional differences in suicide mortality within the country. Aim: We aimed to investigate the relationship between selected indicators at area level and the suicide rate in Slovenian municipalities. Method: Sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and (mental) health data in the years 2012-2016 were analyzed for 212 municipalities. Robust correlation and regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between different variables and the suicide rate. Results: The suicide rate was positively associated with the percentage of male inhabitants, the high social cohesion in the neighborhood, and the number of sick leave days per capita. It was negatively related to the net income per capita, the marriage rate, the divorce rate, and the availability of professional mental healthcare services. Limitations: The small suicide frequencies within municipalities constitute a limitation of the study. Conclusion: Factors at local, municipal level can be linked to the risk of suicide. In Slovenia, neighborhood cohesion is one of the factors that should be considered when designing suicide prevention measures in a community.