King’s Centre for Military Health Research: A fifteen year report
This report presents a comprehensive overview of the findings from the King's Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR) research on the UK Armed Forces' health, which has been ongoing for 15 years. The study examines the health and well-being of UK Armed Forces personnel, focusing on the impact of military service, including deployment to conflict zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Key areas of investigation include mental health outcomes, physical health, and the social and occupational functioning of service members. The report highlights significant issues such as the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, alcohol misuse, and the challenges faced during the transition to civilian life. The findings underscore the importance of continued support and targeted interventions to address the health needs of military personnel and veterans. The study provides valuable insights into the long-term effects of military service, informing policy and practice aimed at improving the health and well-being of those who serve.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Military populations are known to have higher prevalence and heavier alcohol use compared to the general population globally. This has serious negative implications to the military. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence, patterns and associated factors of binge drinking among male military personnel in the Sri Lanka Army. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted among 1337 male Army personnel in active service using multistage sampling. A self-administered questionnaire and the interviewer-administered Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test which is a 10-item screening tool were used. Prevalence of binge drinking was summarised as a proportion with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI). Age specific prevalence rates and the age standardized prevalence rate of binge drinking were calculated. The standard measure of one unit of alcohol being equivalent to 10 g of pure alcohol was used as a reference to calculate the units of alcohol consumption. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with binge drinking. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of binge drinking was 51.2% (95% CI 48.5%-54.0%). The age standardized prevalence of binge drinking was 28.3%. The majority binge drank once a month (50.4%). Those engaged in binge drinking used 5.6 median units of alcohol on a typical day, 84% consumed arrack, 69.3% have ever thought or attempted to quit and median age of first alcohol consumption was 18 years. When controlled for confounding, those who had mental distress (AOR 2.46, 95% CI=1.72-3.53), had sex with a commercial sex worker (AOR 1.92, 95% CI=1.21-3.06), ever smoking (AOR 1.69, 95% CI=1.27-2.25), had serious consequences (AOR 1.58, 95% CI=1.13-2.20), currently used cannabis (AOR 1.39, 95% CI=1.02-1.89) and had combat exposure (AOR 1.37, 95% CI 1.00-1.87) had a higher likelihood of binge drinking. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of binge drinking warrants immediate advocacy to the highest level of command of the Sri Lanka Army for support to implement sustainable evidence-based alcohol prevention programmes.