Citation

Neumark YD, Lopez-Quintero C, Grinshpoon A, Levinson D. Isr. J. Psychiatry Relat. Sci. 2007; 44(2): 126-135.

Affiliation

Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Hebrew University-Hadassah, Jerusalem, Israel. yehudan@ekmd.huji.ac.il

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Israel Psychiatric Association, Publisher Israel Science Publishers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

18080649

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Coexistence of disparate religious/cultural mores with regard to alcohol drinking within the changing social milieu of Israel provides an informative environment for investigation of alcohol consumption patterns and alcohol-related mental disorders. METHOD: A national population-based survey of Israeli adults was conducted as part of the WHO/World Mental Health Survey initiative. Logistic regression models accommodated the complex sampling design and accounted for potential confounders. RESULTS: Half of the 4,859 respondents reported any alcohol consumption in the year prior to interview; 5% drink 3 or more times weekly. DSM-IV criteria for alcohol-abuse or dependence (lifetime) were met by 4.3% of respondents. Significantly higher rates were found among males (AOR, adjusted odds ratio=7.3), younger adults (AOR=5.0), immigrants from the former Soviet Union (AOR=2.0), and those who were never married (AOR=1.6). LIMITATIONS: Under-reporting remains a potential concern in health behavior surveys, particularly in the face of opposing religious norms. CONCLUSIONS: The lifetime prevalence of alcohol abuse in Israel is identical to other European countries while drinking levels are considerably lower, suggesting a biological sensitivity alongside socio-cultural factors.

Language: en