Correlates of risky alcohol consumption in regional and remote Australia
Correlates of risky alcohol consumption in regional and remote Australia Conference Paper
10th National Rural Health Conference: Rural Health: the place to be...
- Author(s): Mark Cooper-Stanbury, Suraiya Nargis
- Published: 2009
Abstract: Aim: To investigate the correlates of risky alcohol consumption in regional and remote Australia using the National Drug Strategy Household Survey. Methods: The 2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey is the latest in the leading series of epidemiological surveys in Australia regarding knowledge, attitudes and use of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs. In scope for the survey are people aged 12 years and over living in residential households; the survey covered all of Australia. Data were collected under two survey modes: ‘drop-and-collect’ (self complete questionnaire) and computer-assisted telephone interview. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate (logistic regression) analyses were use to explore the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics, geographic region, and risky/high risk alcohol consumption. Results: The survey obtained responses from more than 23,000 people, with an overall response rate of 51%. The prevalence of short-term risky alcohol consumption increases with increasing remoteness, from around 19% in major cities to 31% in remote areas. Other socio-demographic factors—each associated with increased risky consumption—are also correlated with increasing remoteness. For each remoteness area, risky/high risk alcohol use was most strongly predicted by the degree of alcohol use among peers, followed by age and smoking status. Conclusion: The results suggest that the policy options currently being considered by the National Preventative Health Taskforce—with a focus on addressing the cultural place of alcohol—would be highly relevant for reducing the harms associated with risky alcohol consumption in regional and remote Australia.
- Urls: http://www.ruralhealth.org.au/10thNRHC/10thnrhc.ruralhealth.org.au/papers/docs/Cooper-Stanbury_Mark_A1.pdf
- Publisher Location: Cairns