Abstract
Current alcohol public health policy in Australia is not uniform but is generally focused on restricting access and early prevention of problematic alcohol use. Semi-urban and rural populations are at greater risk of disease and other poor health outcomes due to a variety of factors. Little is known about problematic drinking patterns over time in semi-urban and rural populations. This study aims to assess patterns of problematic drinking defined as both long-term risky and heavy episodic drinking over time by age, sex, and mental health status among urban, semi-urban and rural populations). Four waves (2004 to 2016) of the Australian NDSHS (National Drug Strategy Household Survey) were analyzed to assess problematic drinking of participants over 18 years of age. We used regression models and predictive margins to identify trends in problematic drinking over time based on age, sex, and mental health status. Our results show young adults across all regions, males, and mentally well individuals in urban areas have reductions in the risk of problematic drinking over time. Middle-aged adults across all regions, females, and those with varying mental health presentations in rural areas have some increases in risk of problematic drinking over time. The general conclusion is that targeted alcohol-related public health policy may need to change and focus on females, middle-aged individuals, and those living in rural areas. Programs to support problematic drinking in people with mental health disorders may also need to be a priority.
Highlights
Alcohol consumption in the 21st century is a multifaceted issue that poses social, psychological, health, and anthropological problems [1]
Most of the population identified as mentally well. Both the proportion of heavy episodic drinking and long-term risky drinking appeared to decrease over time
Time trends for females, in general, had an oscillating risk, increasing risk was present over the time trends for females, in general, had an oscillating risk, increasing risk was present over time in rural areas
Summary
Alcohol consumption in the 21st century is a multifaceted issue that poses social, psychological, health, and anthropological problems [1]. Changes in alcohol consumption and cultural attitudes towards consumption have changed over time. Increased wealth in both developed and developing countries contributes to increased alcohol consumption [5,6], in addition to acculturation-related factors for long-term migrants and first-generation descendants [7,8]. Deregulation of alcohol sales over time result in increased alcohol outlets and hours of operation in low socio-economic status (SES) neighborhoods [9]. These patterns of increased alcohol use lead to problematic drinking and the negative effects associated with it [10]
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