[Risky alcohol consumption among working Canadians: variations among different occupations and economic sectors].
OBJECTIVE
Examine the differences in weekly high-risk alcohol consumption among working people by economic sector and occupation.


METHODS
Secondary analysis of data from Cycle 2.1 of the Canadian Community Health Survey conducted by Statistics Canada. The sample comprised 76,136 subjects 15 years of age and older in 139 occupations and 96 economic sectors.


RESULTS
The prevalence of weekly high-risk alcohol consumption is estimated to be 8% among workers. Major disparities exist between men (11%) and women (6%). The results suggest a differential in weekly high-risk alcohol consumption by occupation and economic sector that is independent of working conditions, family status, and personal characteristics. Workers in five occupational groups have a greater likelihood of at-risk consumption (OR 1.88-2.94), whereas seven economic sectors stand out as having a lower risk (OR 0.25-0.59).


CONCLUSIONS
Occupation appears to be of greater utility than economic sector for defining courses of action in public health. These research results make it possible to identify a set of occupations to target for preventive interventions in conjunction with other public health interventions.
Marchand
Alain
A
Ecole de relations industrielles, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succ Centre-ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7. alain.marchand@umontreal.ca
Charbonneau
Martin
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002170:Canada; D003710:Demography; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011634:Public Health; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D017132:Workplace / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult