The epidemiology of alcohol use in Australian women: findings from a national survey of women's drinking

Abstract

This is the first study of alcohol use, alcohol problems and alcohol dependence in a general population sample of Australian women using a standardized screening instrument developed by the World Health Organization, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Sixty-six percent of a sample of 6000 women randomly selected from the electoral rolls responded to the questionnaire. The majority of women (87%) had drunk alcohol at some time in their lives, while 82% had consumed alcohol within the past 12 months. Of the women who currently drank alcohol, 34% were classified as hazardous drinkers, 4% as harmful drinkers and 1% as dependent according to AUDIT definitions. Using a cut-off score of 8 for the AUDIT, 8% of women were classified as currently having a drinking pattern of hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption. These women were more likely to be younger (17-44 years), single, or living in a de facto relationship. The results of this survey provide important data which can be used as a bench-mark to measure changes in women's drinking behaviour and drinking related problems.

Revising the Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test (CUDIT) by means of Item Response Theory

“…Fleming, 1996;Ivis et al, 2000;Reinert and Allen, 2007). In contrast to epidemiological population surveys, the symptoms of cannabis abuse and dependence, based on the international classifi cations of disease [Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders -Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) or International Classifi cation of Diseases -10th Revision (ICD-10)], can be assessed in clinical settings, instead of simply screening for cannabis-related problems.…”

Gender differences in the factor structure of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test in multinational general population surveys

“…Over time, use of this instrument has changed somewhat from its original intent, with increasing use in general population surveys (Aalto et al, 2009; Fleming, 1996; New Zealand Minstry of Health, 1999; Kawada et al, 2011) to evaluate the prevalence of hazardous drinking behavior and alcohol-related problems and to assess characteristics of drinking behavior.…”

Gender convergence in alcohol consumption and related problems: issues and outcomes from comparisons of New Zealand survey data

“…In New Zealand, women's and men's roles, as measured by education and labour force participation, have been converging over recent decades (Statistics New Zealand 1998) and this has continued through the 1995-2000 period. Other changes in women's social roles in New Zealand include increasing cohabitation and singlehood and women working in non-traditional occupations (Statistics New Zealand 1998), all of which have been found in studies elsewhere to be related to measures of 'problem' or heavier drinking (Wilsnack & Wilsnack 1995;Fleming 1996;Jonas et al 2000).…”