Journal of Public Health

, Volume 21, Issue 3, pp 241–249 | Cite as

Alcohol use patterns in a Norwegian general population-based sample with special reference to socio-demographic variables

  • E. F. Mathiesen
  • S. Nome
  • J. Richter
  • M. Eisemann
Original Article
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

Aim

The aim of this study was to analyse alcohol use patterns in a general population-based sample in Norway, with special reference to gender and socio-demographic variables.

Methods

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was applied to measure alcohol use patterns and to identify hazardous alcohol use and negative consequences. AUDIT is a commonly used screening instrument in general population studies. A random sample was established of 4,000 Norwegian citizens, aged 18 to 79, which was drawn from the National Register held by Statistics Norway. The response rate in this study was 33%.

Results

The results show that males are more likely to consume more alcohol and to experience more drinking-related problems than females. More males (30.0%) than females (12.6%) were found in the hazardously alcohol consuming group (AUDIT total score ≥8). Furthermore, odds ratios for males were significantly higher than the oldest age group (age 66–79, reference category) compared to all other age groups, while for females, only the two youngest age categories (18–35 years) were found to be significantly higher than the reference category. Age was found to be a major factor (confounder), especially for females, in the relationships between alcohol drinking patterns, employment and marital status, level of education and density groups.

Conclusion

The results should be of interest both for health policy makers and health-care professionals in their planning of prevention and interventions concerning the hazardous and harmful alcohol consumption among the youngest age group.

Keywords

Alcohol Drinking pattern The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) Socio-demographic Gender Norway 
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Notes

Acknowledgements

Statistics Norway is acknowledged by providing their expertise and helpfulness due to this study. The financial support of Haukeland University Hospital for conducting the survey is also appreciated.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2012

Authors and Affiliations

  • E. F. Mathiesen
    • 1
    • 2
  • S. Nome
    • 2
  • J. Richter
    • 3
  • M. Eisemann
    • 4
  1. 1.Department of NursingBergen University CollegeBergenNorway
  2. 2.Centre for Research and Education in Forensic PsychiatryHaukeland University HospitalBergenNorway
  3. 3.Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Eastern and Southern NorwayOsloNorway
  4. 4.Faculty of Health SciencesUniversity of TromsøTromsøNorway

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