Citation

Kaarne T, Aalto M, Kuokkanen M, Seppa K. Scand. J. Prim. Health Care 2009; 27(1): 53-57.

Affiliation

Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/02813430802588691

PMID

19065452

Abstract

Objective. To estimate the proportion of heavy drinkers among occupational healthcare patients and evaluate their characteristics. Design. Patients visiting their doctor in six occupational health clinics were asked to complete a questionnaire containing the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and other questions concerning health. Setting. Occupational health services. Subjects. A total of 757 patients participated in the study. Main outcome measure. Heavy drinking was defined as having a score of 10 or more (men) or 8 or more (women) in the AUDIT questionnaire. Results. Of the men 114 (29%) and of the women 48 (13%) were heavy drinkers. Only smoking differentiated both male and female heavy drinkers from moderate drinkers among the clinically relevant characteristics. Conclusion. There are a considerable number of heavy drinkers among occupational healthcare patients. Heavy drinkers do not have any particularly specific characteristics except for the drinking that distinguish them from other patients. Thus, screening is necessary to identify heavy drinkers in occupational healthcare settings.

Language: en