Prevalence and the factors associated with binge drinking, alcohol abuse, and alcohol dependence: a population-based study of Chinese adults in Hong Kong.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the patterns of drinking, the relationship between binge drinking, alcohol abuse, and dependence, and the sociodemographic factors associated with problem drinking among Hong Kong Chinese.


METHODS
An anonymous, random telephone survey was conducted on 9860 Hong Kong Chinese adults from April to June, 2006.


RESULTS
The age-adjusted prevalence amongst men for binge drinking was 14.4% with 5.3% of males being alcohol abusers and 2.3% dependent on alcohol. The corresponding figures for women were all lower at 3.6%, 1.4%, and 0.7%, respectively. Younger age groups showed the highest prevalence of these drinking problems. Among male binge drinkers, 18.7% were also alcohol abusers and 12.3% were alcohol dependent. Among female binge drinkers, 16% reported alcohol abuse and 9.9% reported dependence. Male binge drinkers were less likely to be older, less likely to be students but more likely to be employed in the service industry. Female binge drinkers were less likely to be over 60 years of age or married but more likely to be smokers. In both genders, smoking was significantly associated with the likelihood of binge drinking (OR = 3.6-12.3), alcohol abuse (OR = 3.0-12.1), and dependence (OR = 5.2-20.6).


CONCLUSIONS
Although binge drinking has been well tolerated in Chinese culture, it is strongly associated with alcohol abuse and dependence in both genders in Hong Kong. Our findings suggest that prevalence of problematic alcohol consumption warrants greater promotion of alcohol harms awareness. Higher rates of heavy drinking in younger-aged individuals may reflect changing lifestyle behaviors and herald higher future levels of alcohol-related health and social problems.
Kim
Jean H
JH
The School of Public Health 2/F, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR.
Lee
Sing
S
Chow
Julie
J
Lau
Joseph
J
Tsang
Adley
A
Choi
Jacqueline
J
Griffiths
Sian M
SM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence
D000431:Ethanol