There seems to be a shifting demographic in alcohol consumption, especially among the female population in Trinidad and Tobago.
The statement was made by Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh during a meeting of Parliament’s Joint Select Committee on Social Services and Public Administration, which was inquiring into the prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization, conducted the STEP 2024 survey to gather information from the public to ascertain their risk factors for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
During the JSC Inquiry on Wednesday, Director of the Non-Communicable Diseases Unit at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Maria Clapperton, presented the findings from the survey.
The survey, which sampled 4,052 adults aged 18 to 69, revealed a prevalence of alcohol consumption at 51.5%, with 59.6% of males, and 43.4% of females reporting alcohol use within a 30-day period.
“In 2011, the prevalence of alcohol consumption was 40.6%, so there was a 10.9% increase between 2011 and 2024. And with respect to consumption patterns, it was observed that even though males consumed more alcohol than females, we noted a significant increase in the consumption of alcohol among females, and this was found to be an increase of 12.5%.”
Minister of Health, Terrence Deyalsingh, expressed concern about the findings. He acknowledged that excessive drinking tends to spike from Christmas into the Carnival period, and reassured that the Health Ministry and the National Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Programme (NADAAP) will continue their annual campaigns promoting responsible drinking during the Carnival Season.
“We do intend to overdo it during Carnival Season, and every year through the Ministry of Health and its daughter agency, NADAAP, we do put out public advisories as to how the population should conduct themselves into what they eat and drink and consume during Carnival. I want to make an appeal through you, to not only women but to all persons, that, like everything else, moderation is the key.”