Unnatural deaths, alcohol bans and curfews : evidence from a quasi-natural experiment during COVID-19

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dc.contributor.authorMoultrie, T. A.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorDorrington, R. E.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorLaubscher, R.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorGroenewald, P.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorParry, C. D. H.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorMatzopoulos, R.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorBradshaw, D.en_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2023-05-10T09:29:59Z
dc.date.available2023-05-10T09:29:59Z
dc.date.issued2021-07
dc.descriptionCITATION: Moultrie, T. A. et al. 2021. Unnatural deaths, alcohol bans and curfews : evidence from a quasi-natural experiment during COVID-19. South African Medical Journal, 111(9):834-837, doi:10.7196/SAMJ.2021.v111i9.15813.
dc.descriptionThe original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
dc.description.abstractBackground: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) restrictions, particularly relating to the sale of alcohol and hours of curfew, have had a marked effect on the temporal pattern of unnatural deaths in South Africa. Methods: Death data were collected over 68 weeks from January 2020 to April 2021, together with information on the nature of restrictions (if any) on the sale of alcohol, and hours of curfew. Data were analysed using a simple ordinary least square (OLS) regression model to estimate the relative contribution of restrictions on the sale of alcohol and hours of curfew to the pattern of excess unnatural deaths. Results: The complete restriction on the sale of alcohol resulted in a statistically significant reduction in unnatural deaths regardless of the length of curfew. To the contrary, periods where no or limited restrictions on alcohol were in force had no significant effect, or resulted in significantly increased unnatural deaths. Conclusions: The present study highlights an association between alcohol availability and the number of unnatural deaths and demonstrates the extent to which those deaths might be averted by disrupting the alcohol supply. While this is not a long-term solution to addressing alcohol-related harm, it further raises the importance of implementing evidence-based alcohol control measures.en_ZA
dc.description.urihttp://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/view/13345
dc.description.versionPublisher's version
dc.format.extent4 pages : illustrations
dc.identifier.citationMoultrie, T. A. et al. 2021. Unnatural deaths, alcohol bans and curfews : evidence from a quasi-natural experiment during COVID-19. South African Medical Journal, 111(9):834-837, doi:10.7196/SAMJ.2021.v111i9.15813.
dc.identifier.issn2078-5135 (online)
dc.identifier.issn0256-9574 (print)
dc.identifier.otherdoi:10.7196/SAMJ.2021.v111i9.15813
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/126886
dc.language.isoen_ZAen_ZA
dc.publisherHealth & Medical Publishing Group
dc.rights.holderAuthors retain copyright
dc.subjectCoronavirus infections -- Mortalityen_ZA
dc.subjectCOVID-19 (Disease) -- Statisticsen_ZA
dc.subjectLockdown restrictionsen_ZA
dc.titleUnnatural deaths, alcohol bans and curfews : evidence from a quasi-natural experiment during COVID-19en_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA
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