Increased female drinking in accordance with post-industrial urbanization in Japan.
We studied the relationship between living in an urban area and the alcohol-consumption habits of young mothers in light of the recent increase of the female drinking population in Japan, particularly among those from 20 to 39 years of age. We conducted a survey in four areas in and around Tokyo, each area representing a different level of urbanization. The study population consisted of 6418 mothers of 3-year-old children; an 84.9% response rate was obtained. Thirty-eight per cent of the respondents had drunk at least four units of alcohol (about 44 g of pure ethanol) during the most recent month. The proportion of current drinkers in a more-urbanized area was greater than that in a less-urbanized area, and this tendency was significant (P < 0.001). Current workforce participation was significantly positively associated with current drinking (P < 0.01). Younger age significantly increased chances of current drinking (P < 0.05). Effects of living in a more-urbanized area on current drinking of mothers of 3-year-old children after excluding the effects of workforce participation and age was significantly positive (P < 0.001). An increase in female drinking in Japan was considered to be due to acculturation associated with urbanization in a post-industrial society.
Takano
T
T
Department of Public Health and Environmental Science, School of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.
Nakamura
K
K
Watanabe
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007221:Industry / Q000639:trends*; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014507:Urbanization / Q000639:trends*; D014931:Women, Working / Q000706:statistics & numerical data