To what extent is female alcohol dependence and abuse known in the health care system? The use of multi‐source information in a Swedish population survey

Abstract

In a multi-purpose two-phase general population survey of female alcoholism/alcohol problems, unknown alcohol dependence and abuse (ADA) was estimated with interviews and by search of medical and National Insurance Office records. Firstly, 3130 subjects received a screening questionnaire and, secondly, a stratified selection of 399 women were interviewed. A total of 56 subjects received a diagnosis of ADA in interview and four due to other information. Lifetime prevalence of ADA was 3.3%. A total of 63.6% of the diagnosed women 45-65 years of age, and 25.9% of the women 25-35 years of age, were known in these records. Corresponding rates for women with alcohol dependence were 71.4% and 30.8%, respectively. Record information reveals a lack of attention to ADA from several physicians.

Suicidal ideation in a female population sample

“…Some women with hidden alcohol problems might prefer to remain unidentified and therefore decline involvement. However, our data do not confirm this hypothesis (Spak andHällström 1995, Spak 1996). Alternatively, healthy, busy women might tend to refuse participation, finding the study questions irrelevant.…”

“…Most of the interviews took place in the subjects' homes, but some subjects chose to come to the university hospital. The structured interview covered socio-demographic characteristics, childhood conditions, family relations, work situation, physical and mental health, alcohol consumption, alcohol-related problems, sexual abuse, and sexual habits and problems (Spak 1996).…”

“…For reasons noted above, we limit the observation period for suicidal ideation to the past year. This study is part of a population-based study on female alcohol dependence and abuse,"Women and Alcohol in Göteborg" (Spak 1996).…”

Changes in some personality traits after recovery from alcohol dependence/abuse, anxiety and depression—Results of a 5-year follow-up in a general population sample of women

“…They did not differ from those who participated in both the screening phase and the interview phase with regard to alcohol consumption and prevalence of ADA, age and education (30). Medical files were searched in an earlier study within this project and no differences were found in prevalence of ADA between women participating and not participating in the study (31). It therefore seems unlikely that women with alcohol problems were significantly over-represented in the attrition.…”

Comorbidade entre dependência de substâncias psicoativas e transtornos alimentares: perfil e evolução de mulheres em um tratamento específico para dependência química

“…Vários estudos apontaram o quanto o consumo de álcool e o diagnóstico de alcoolismo e/ou abuso de drogas nas mulheres são ignorados em serviços médicos gerais (Awad, Wattis, 1990;Blume, 1990;Spak, 1996;Grella, Joshi, 1999). Outras pesquisas frisaram que mesmo quando o diagnóstico é feito, a pouca disponibilidade de serviços especializados para mulheres dificulta a orientação e o encaminhamento dessas pacientes.…”