Beliefs about the cardiovascular benefits of drinking wine in the adult population of Ontario.
OBJECTIVE
to explore beliefs about the cardiovascular benefits of drinking wine in the Ontario population.


METHODS
secondary analysis of data from a provincial survey of adults.


METHODS
Ontarians aged 18 or older (n = 606) from Ontario living in households and participating in a telephone survey.


METHODS
responses to questions concerning beliefs that wine drinking may reduce the risk of heart disease. Self-reports of age, gender, quantity and frequency of wine drinking, drinking problems, and existence of a diagnosis of heart disease.


RESULTS
a majority of respondents believed that wine drinking reduces heart disease. Almost all (87.6%) said that drinking one or two drinks a day would reduce heart disease. Belief in the health benefits of wine drinking was more common among men, more frequent drinkers, and wine drinkers.


CONCLUSIONS
beliefs in the health benefits of wine drinking is common amongst Ontario adults and is consistent with many recommendations by health authorities. The study should be replicated with larger samples in a variety of countries with different drinking patterns.
Smart
Reginald G
RG
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. rsmart@arf.org
Ogborne
Alan C
AC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D014920:Wine