[The prevalence of alcoholism (abuse and dependence) in the state of Bremen].
An attempt was made to establish the prevalence of alcoholism in the State of Bremen in 1973. A sample of the adult population was sent a questionnaire. The selection of questions was based on the principles of the WHO definition of 1952 and on dependence on alcohol. Amount of drinks, behavior, psychosocial consequences and dependence on alcohol were gone into. The assessment of answers was weighted.


RESULTS
When very strict criteria are applied, alcoholism existed among 2-2.5% of the population samples. With slightly less strict criteria which probably correspond more closely with reality, it was 3-4%. This, calculated for the whole population of Bremen, shows a prevalence of at least 1.6-2%, probably 2-3%. Alcoholism is not evenly distributed between sexes, age groups, social status and income-groups. The relation between men and women is 2 to 1. Most alcoholics are found among those aged 16-29 years and among unskilled workers, in the income group between 800 and 1399 DM p/month and among those not stating their income. The smallest number of alcoholics was in the group between 40 and 49 years old, among people not in top positions of the civil service or in business and in the lowest income group (less than DM 800 p/month). It is remarkable that no difference was found to be related to educational standards.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005860:Germany, West; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Uber die Prävalenz des alkoholismus (Alkoholmibetabrauch und Alkoholabhängigkeit) im Bundesland Bremen