The use of drinking places by gender, age and ethnic groups: an analysis of routine drinking activities.
OBJECTIVE
This paper extends a prior analysis of drinking patterns to consider the influence of non-economic variables on the selection of drinking locations.


METHODS
Using data from a general population telephone survey conducted as a part of the Community Trials Project, Tobit models are estimated to determine the influence of background demographic characteristics upon the selection of drinking locations net of other model control variables.


METHODS
24,778 current drinkers from four California and two South Carolina communities.


RESULTS
Distinct patterns of premise utilization are found to be associated with age, gender and ethnic subgroups. Additionally these patterns of utilization are differentially linked to drinking and driving, suggesting that patterns of outlet utilization are differentially linked to acute drinking problems (e.g. drunken driving and alcohol-related car crashes).


CONCLUSIONS
Observed differences in outlet utilization patterns between age, gender and ethnic subgroups imply that preventive interventions should take into account the manner in which these subpopulations make use of drinking venues.
Treno
A J
AJ
Prevention Research Center, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA.
Alaniz
M L
ML
Gruenewald
P J
PJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000639:trends*; D001334:Automobile Driving; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D013022:South Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires