Alcohol use in young indigenous Sami in Sweden

Abstract

Background: Evidence suggests socially disadvantaged people or those who live in socially disadvantaged areas experience more harm per gram of alcohol consumed than people with greater social advantages. In the Sami group, probable associations between alcohol use and several areas of health have been explored, but there are no studies regarding the drinking habits of young Sami in Sweden. Aims: To investigate alcohol use in young Sami in Sweden, and in a reference group from the general young Swedish population in the same area; to evaluate likely associations between gender, education, family situation and alcohol use. Methods: The Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test was used in a cross-sectional study comprising 516 Sami (18–28 years), and a reference group (18–29 years, n = 218). Results: No significant differences in hazardous/harmful alcohol drinking in young Sami and Swedes were found. Nearly half the men and ∼35% of the women reported risky alcohol use. Gender differences were reported only in the Sami. Sami men had 1.6 times higher odds of hazardous/harmful drinking compared to Sami women. Only in the Sami were lower education levels associated with higher odds of hazardous/harmful drinking. Experiences of “often forgetting important things”, seldom “looking forward with joy”, and self-perceived ethnicity-related negative treatment were associated with hazardous/harmful drinking. Conclusions: Although alcohol use in young Sami appears to be similar to alcohol use in young non-Sami Swedes, important risk factors for hazardous/harmful drinking are identified, e.g. ethnicity-related negative treatment. These should be taken into account when planning for preventive interventions.