Telangana ranks among top States in alcohol use: NFHS data
NFHS-5 data show that alcohol consumption in Telangana is much higher than the national average, especially among men. The survey highlights greater usage in rural areas, links with lower education levels, and increased risks of domestic violence.
Hyderabad: Consumption of alcohol among men and women in Telangana is significantly high when compared to most other Indian States, a metric that reflects societal trends and health challenges in the region.
According to National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) data, about 43.3 per cent of men in Telangana consume alcohol, more than double the national average of 18.8 per cent. The only other Indian State where male consumption exceeds Telangana’s is Arunachal Pradesh, at 53 per cent.
Similarly, 6.7 per cent of women in Telangana consume alcohol, significantly higher than the national average of 0.7 per cent, according to NFHS-5 data. The consumption levels of alcohol among women are lower than the levels seen in Arunachal Pradesh (18 per cent ) and Sikkim (16 per cent), which lead the country in female consumption.
The NFHS data have indicated that the frequency of use of alcohol among the public in Telangana could be a point of concern. Roughly 4.7 per cent of men report drinking daily, and nearly 20 per cent consume alcohol at least once a week. In contrast, daily alcohol use among women is nearly non-existent at 0.3 per cent, and only 2.5 per cent of women drink on a weekly basis.
Interestingly, the alcohol consumption data in districts indicates that these habits are more prevalent in rural areas. The NFHS study has indicated that 49 per cent of men and 9.3 per cent of women are consumers, compared to urban centers where the rates drop to 34.9 per cent and 2.3 per cent, respectively.
Socio-demographic factors such as education and community background further influence these patterns. Men with no formal schooling exhibit the highest consumption rates at 57.6 per cent, a figure that decreases as education levels rise.
Furthermore, the survey draws a critical link between alcohol and domestic safety, noting that women whose husbands frequently get drunk are more likely to experience spousal violence.
Specifically, the prevalence of such violence reaches 73.4 per cent for women with husbands who get drunk often, compared to 25.4 per cent for those whose husbands do not drink.
Alcohol consumption data of Telangana:
43.3 per cent of men in Telangana consume alcohol
The national average of men consuming alcohol is 18.8 per cent
53 per cent of men in Arunachal Pradesh consume alcohol, which is the highest in India
6.7 per cent of women in Telangana consume alcohol
24.5 per cent of women who drink do so almost daily
18 per cent of men who drink do so almost daily
About once a week, 53.6 per cent of men and 30.3 per cent of women drink
57.6 per cent of men who consume alcohol do not have a formal education
