[Smoking, alcohol and drug use in Utrecht, The Netherlands, risk groups and socioeconomic differences in 1999 and 2003].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate trends in socio-economic inequalities in smoking, alcohol and drug use in the community of Utrecht, the Netherlands.


METHODS
Repeated cross-sectional population surveys.


METHODS
Questionnaires were used to collect information about smoking, (problematic) alcohol use and the use of cannabis, ecstasy and other drugs in the general population aged 15-64 years in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Data were collected in 1999 on 2485 responders (response: 56%) and in 2003 on 1840 responders (54%). The male-female ratio was 4:6.


RESULTS
The percentage of smokers was 43 in 1999 and 34 in 2003. Excessive use of alcohol was reported by 21% in both 1999 and 2003, cannabis use was reported in 13% and 14%, respectively, and use of hard drugs was reported in 1-3% in both 1999 and 2003. Native Dutch people, men, unmarried people and people with a low education or income level were at increased risk for drinking, smoking and using drugs. People with a low socio-economic status were just as likely to smoke in 1999 as in 2003, while the use of alcohol, cannabis and ecstasy increased. Those with a higher socio-economic status were much less likely to smoke in 2003 than in 1999, while fewer used cannabis and ecstasy use remained the same.


CONCLUSIONS
Socio-economic inequalities in substance abuse were greater in 2003 than in 1999 in the studied population in Utrecht. People with a low socio-economic status showed an increase in unhealthy behaviour concerning the use of alcohol, cannabis and ecstasy.
Verburg
J A
JA
GG&GD Utrecht, afd. Bestuur en Bedrijf, Bureau Epidemiologie en Informatie, Postbus 2423, 3500 GK Utrecht. jooskeverburg@hotmail.com
Toet
J
J
van Ameijden
E J C
EJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*