SOCIAL INEQUALITIES IN ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AND ALCOHOL-RELATED PROBLEMS IN THE STUDY COUNTRIES OF THE EU CONCERTED ACTION ‘GENDER, CULTURE AND ALCOHOL PROBLEMS: A MULTI-NATIONAL STUDY’

Abstract

Aims: We investigated the presence of social inequalities of alcohol use and misuse using educational attainment as an indicator of socio-economic status in 15 countries: Sweden, Norway, Finland, Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Israel, Brazil, and Mexico. Methods: Study surveys were independently conducted and the data centrally analysed. Most samples were national. Survey modes and sample sizes varied. The age range was restricted to between 25 and 59 years of age. Socio-economic status was measured by educational level. Multiple logistic regressions were employed to calculate age-adjusted odds ratios for men and women in each country by educational level for current drinking status, heavy drinking (>20 g ethanol per day for women, >30 g a day for men), heavy episodic (binge) drinking, and alcohol-related problems (using AUDIT).