title: Intercepting binge drinkers in medical settings: a view from California.
abstract: The argument for universal alcohol screening in primary care is based on the assumption that most heavy drinkers routinely visit a doctor. This study examines whether drinking status is associated with higher or lower odds of visiting a doctor in the past year among California adults. As a point of comparison, the study also examines whether drinking status is associated with the odds of visiting an emergency room. Data came from the 2007 California Health Interview Survey. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the odds of visiting a doctor and an emergency room for abstainers, moderate drinkers, monthly binge drinkers, and weekly binge drinkers. After controlling for demographics, health coverage, and health status, binge drinkers had the same odds of visiting a doctor and the emergency room as moderate drinkers. Among binge drinkers, female gender, health coverage, and high blood pressure were associated with visiting a primary care doctor.
authors.affiliation: University of Southern California, School of Social Work, 1149 S. Hill St., Suite 360, Los Angeles, CA 90015-2245, USA. spearse@usc.edu
authors.forename: Suzanne E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Spear
authors.forename: Martin Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Iguchi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D063425:Binge Drinking / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D061345:Early Medical Intervention; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult