Association between sociodemographics and change in alcohol or tobacco use behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic

TL;DR

This study found that sociodemographic factors like age, gender, and location influenced changes in alcohol and tobacco use during the pandemic.

Contribution

The study identifies specific sociodemographic groups at higher risk for increased substance use during the pandemic.

Findings

Urban residents were more likely to increase alcohol and tobacco use compared to rural residents.

Younger, female, and married individuals with financial concerns were more likely to increase alcohol use.

Tobacco use increased among younger, female, and divorced individuals in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Abstract

To examine the association between various sociodemographic factors with alcohol and tobacco use behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participants from Ohio and Indiana were asked to participate in the ‘Impact of COVID-19 on the Cancer Continuum Consortium’ study (N = 32,989) from June–November 2020. Those who completed the survey and responded to key study questions were included (n = 5,374). Participants were asked about the frequency and type of alcohol and tobacco product used. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to determine factors associated with the impact of COVID-19 on change in alcohol and/or tobacco use.

Mean age was 57 years old, 68% were female, 90% non-Hispanic white, 75% married, and 31% lived in rural counties. Out of 5,374 participants, 53% used alcohol-only (n = 2,833), 5% used tobacco-only (n = 255), 7% used both alcohol and tobacco (n = 395), and 35% used neither alcohol nor tobacco (n = 1,891). Urban county of residence (vs. rural) was associated with an increase in alcohol-use (p = 0.0001), change in alcohol products (p = 0.023), and an increase in tobacco use (p = 0.05). Among alcohol-only users, those who were younger (OR = 0.97), female (OR = 1.58), married (OR = 1.69), of high socioeconomic status (OR = 1.99), residing in urban counties (OR = 1.65), and had elevated financial (OR = 1.06) and employment concerns (OR = 1.28) were significantly more likely to report increased alcohol-use. Similarly, among tobacco users, those who were younger (OR = 0.97), female (OR = 2.79), married (OR = 2.16) or divorced (OR = 2.83), and had higher levels of neighborhood disadvantage (OR = 2.19) were significantly more likely to report increased tobacco-use.

Findings suggest targeted intervention and prevention strategies for young, female participants with elevated financial and employment concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic are necessary to mitigate risks associated with higher odds of alcohol and tobacco use. Our findings on alcohol and tobacco use may be a result of the unique social and economic influence of the pandemic on women.

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