Alcohol Consumption, Obesity, and Psychological Distress in Farming Communities—An Australian Study

Abstract

The prevalence of short-term, high-risk alcohol consumption practices in this cohort of farming men and women is significantly higher than the Australian average. These consumption practices are coupled with a range of other measurable health issues within the farming population, such as obesity, hypertension, psychological distress, and age.

Alcohol Use, Working Conditions, Job Benefits, and the Legacy of the “Dop” System among Farm Workers in the Western Cape Province, South Africa: Hope Despite High Levels of Risky Drinking

“…The consumption of alcohol among farm workers has a long and controversial history in SA and elsewhere [25]. The drinking behavior of at least one quarter to one half of the farm workers in these communities is clearly problematic and needing intervention.…”

“…The primary goal of this paper was to link this historical perspective with more recent information and survey data on the harmful use of alcohol by farm workers (see Brumby et al [25] for a discussion of alcohol use in Australian farming communities). Our focus was to learn directly from some citizens and farm owners/managers in our catchment area about the current drinking practices and legacy of Dop on their farms.…”

Consumo de bebida alcoólica entre fumicultores: prevalência e fatores associados

“…The prevalence of alcohol consumption among the rural population worldwide varies greatly, ranging from 1.4% 10,11,14,22,27 to 64% 12,15,17,19,27 for high-risk consumption among men and women, and from 4.5% 12,28 a 38% 3,13,20 for heavy drinking among men. Among farmers, the prevalence of high-risk alcohol consumption ranged from 18% 16 to 43% 17,27 . The factors positively associated with any alcohol consumption pattern in rural population were being male 5,14,21,22,24 and smoking 5,6,8,21 .…”

“…Scales such as AUDIT 5,14,17,[19][20][21][22][23][24] , CAGE 3,11,25 , MAST 11 , and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) 10,26 can also be used. The prevalence of alcohol consumption among the rural population worldwide varies greatly, ranging from 1.4% 10,11,14,22,27 to 64% 12,15,17,19,27 for high-risk consumption among men and women, and from 4.5% 12,28 a 38% 3,13,20 for heavy drinking among men. Among farmers, the prevalence of high-risk alcohol consumption ranged from 18% 16 to 43% 17,27 .…”

“…Consumption can be measured as different periods (currently [2][3][4][5][6][7][8] , ever 7,9 , number of days 4,8,10 ) units of measurement (grams 3,[11][12][13][14][15] , milliliters 7,9 , or number of standard doses 10,[16][17][18] ), or even as different consumption patterns (got drunk 4,7,8 ). Scales such as AUDIT 5,14,17,[19][20][21][22][23][24] , CAGE 3,11,25 , MAST 11 , and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) 10,26 can also be used. The prevalence of alcohol consumption among the rural population worldwide varies greatly, ranging from 1.4% 10,11,14,22,27 to 64% 12,…”