Citation

Peach HG, Bath NE, Farish SJ. Drug Alcohol Rev. 1998; 17(1): 117-120.

Affiliation

Ballarat Health Services Base Hospital Unit, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1080/09595239800187661

PMID

16203475

Abstract

Factors associated with unsafe drinking in a rural area were identified and the prevalence of unsafe drinking and alcohol related mortality compared with a metropolitan area. Alcohol consumption data were collected from a random sample of adults in Greater Ballarat. Odds ratios of demographic factors associated with unsafe drinking were estimated by logistic regression. Compared with males and 20-29-year-olds, females and 30-59-year-olds had a significantly lower prevalence of 'intermediate' or higher risk drinking and binge-only drinking. Rural-metropolitan ratios for the prevalence of unsafe drinking and alcohol related mortality were also greatest in young adults. Young adults must adopt safer drinking habits if the rural excess in mortality is to be reduced.