Some 61.9% of Moldova’s population drinks alcohol. 69.8% of the men and 53.5% of the women drank alcohol over the last 30 days. One in five persons abused alcohol episodically in the period. These are the findings of the first national study of the risk factors for noncommunicable chronic diseases (STEPS), IPN reports.

According to the study, 64% of the respondents of both sexes from rural areas said they drank alcohol during the last 30 days. In urban areas this figure stands at 59%.

About 9% of the men and 3% of the women said they drank alcohol every day. Thus, 6.1% of all the respondents drank alcoholic beverages daily. 2.8% drank alcohol 5-6 days a week, while 29.7% – 1-3 times a week. The others said they can drink alcohol three times a month or seldom. In all the groups of respondents, the men drink almost two times more alcoholic beverages that women, on particular occasions.

Experts consider the number of persons who drink alcohol is much higher than statistics show given the local traditions of making alcohol (wine) at home.