[Trends in alcohol consumption and predictors for increased alcohol consumption in former East Germany--analysis of the 1st and 2nd stages of the German Cardiovascular Prevention Study].
In comparison to other European and western countries, the social epidemiology of alcohol consumption and alcohol abuse in the general population remains under-researched in Germany. In an attempt to begin to fill this gap, data sets from the German Cardiovascular Prevention Study (DHP), now available as public use files, are analysed. The goals of the present study are: (1) to investigate the data sets from the first and second stages of the DHP (1984, 1987) for possible trends in drinking patterns in the German general population, and (2) through use of logistic regression, to identify sociodemographic correlates of heavy drinking. The frequency of consumption of various types of alcoholic beverages declined slightly to moderately among both men and women between 1984 and 1987. The percentage of persons who drank alcohol also declined. Mean consumption of alcohol remained basically unchanged between the two points: about 30 g per day for men and about 13 g per day for women. The second goal of the research was to identify sociodemographic correlates of heavy drinking. It was found that women of a particular age group, 30-39 years, are inclined to be heavy drinkers in comparison to women of other ages. Also among women, higher socioeconomic status showed a positive relationship to heavy drinking: however, income showed a negative influence. Only through the interactions with age and with level of secondary education was income positively related to heavy drinking. Among men, those with four children or more showed greater odds to be heavy drinkers. But the odds for heavy drinking decline among older men who live with their partners, while the odds for heavy drinking are higher for older men who live alone. The chances of being a heavy drinker are also considerably higher for employed men in comparison to men not employed; however, employed men of higher socioeconomic status have reduced odds of being heavy drinkers. These findings suggest that the research results from other countries with regard to predictors of heavy drinking may not be entirely applicable to the German general population. In any case, more detailed research into the social epidemiology of alcohol consumption in Germany is warranted. New and more specific knowledge can then be used to help develop public health measures for certain population subgroups who are identified as being at risk for alcohol abuse or alcohol problems on account of their heavy alcohol consumption.
Bloomfield
K
K
Institut für Medizinische Statistik und Informationsverarbeitung, Freien Universität Berlin.
Mansmann
U
U
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000639:trends*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D005859:Germany, East / Q000453:epidemiology; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012931:Social Environment