Hazardous Drinking and Drinking Patterns Among the Reindeer-Herding Sami Population in Sweden

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate hazardous drinking among reindeer-herding Sami in Sweden. A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted in 2007, which included the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test. A total of 319 reindeer-herding Sami were compared with urban and rural reference populations of 1,393 persons. Data were analyzed with regard to population, gender, age group, education, anxiety, depression, and work-related stress. The Sami population did not report a higher prevalence of hazardous drinking compared with the reference groups; however, subgroups of Sami men with symptoms of depression were revealed as at risk, in contrast to Sami women who were not found to be at risk at all. Limitations of the study are discussed.

RÉSUMÉ

Usage nocif d'alcool et modes de consommation chez les Sames éleveurs de rennes de Suède

L'objectif de cette étude a été d'enquêter sur les effets de l'abus d'alcool chez les Sames éleveurs de rennes de Suède. Un questionnaire intersectionnel, incluant le Test d'identification de consommation excessive d'alcool (test AUDIT établi par l'OMS), a été mené en 2007. Au total 319 Sames éleveurs de rennes ont été comparés à des populations de référence urbaines et rurales, composées de 1,393 personnes. Les données recueillies ont été analysées en tenant compte des critères suivants: population, genre, niveau d’études, degré d'anxiété, dépression et stress engendré par le travail. Aucune prévalence plus élevée de consommation excessive d'alcool n'a été relevée dans la population same par rapport aux différents groupes de référence. En revanche, des sous-groupes de Sames de sexe masculin présentant des symptomes dépressifs se sont avérés se trouver en zone à risque, par opposition distincte aux Sames de sexe féminin. Les limites de cette étude sont également discutées.

Mots-clé: alcool, Same, éleveur de renne, Suède

RESUMEN

Prevalencia y Patrones de consumo de alcohol entre los pastores de reno Sami de Suecia.

El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la prevalencia de consumo de alcohol entre los pastores de reno Sami de Suecia. Se realizó un estudio de corte transversal en 2007, que incluia una prueba de consumo y trastorno de consumo de alcohol. Un total de 319 pastores de reno sami fueron comparados con las poblaciones de referencia urbana y rural de 1,393 personas. Los datos fueron analizados con respecto a la población, el género, grupo de edad, la educación, la ansiedad, la depresión y el estrés relacionado con el trabajo. La población sami no reportó una mayor prevalencia de consumo de riesgo en comparación con el grupo de referencia, sin embargo, se encontró que el subgrupo de hombres sami con síntomas de depresión es un grupo en riesgo de consumo de alcohol, en contraste las mujeres sami no se encuentran en situación de riesgo en absoluto. Limitaciones del estudio se discuten.

Palabras claves: alcohol, Sami, pastor de renos, Suecia

Keywords :

• alcohol
• Sami
• reindeer herder
• Sweden

THE AUTHORS

Niclas Kaiser, M. Psych., received his master's degree from Umeå University in 2001. He has been working as a Clinical Psychologist in different settings, and as a Consultant with assignments regarding work-related health. He has also worked in academic settings and is now a Ph.D. student at the Department of Clinical Science. His main interests have been gender issues, expressions of mental health problems, and interpersonal psychology.

Annika Nordström, Ph.D., is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Public health and Clinical Medicine, Division of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University. She also works as a Health Promotion Officer at the County Council of Västerbotten, Sweden, with a focus on early interventions, motivational interviewing, and alcohol/drug addiction. Her research field is primarily focused on hazardous alcohol consumption and co-morbidity of mental disorders among patients in different hospital settings and primary health care.

Lars Jacobsson, Ph.D., born in 1942, was a Professor of psychiatry at the Umea University during the period of 1980–2009, and is now Professor emeritus. His main interests have been in the field of social psychiatry and medical ethics. He is the author and co-author of more than 250 papers and book chapters. He has served as a scientific advisor to the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare and has been a member and expert in several parliamentary commissions on mental health issues. He has a vast experience of international collaboration, especially with low- and middle-income countries, and has been a consultant to the World Health Organization.

Ellinor Salander Renberg, Ph.D., is a Clinical Psychologist, a Senior Lecture, and an Associate Professor at the Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Psychiatry, Umeå University. Her main research interest is in the field of suicidology, both on epidemiology and clinical studies. Her specific research interest is on cultural aspects of suicidal behavior and she has coordinated studies on attitudes toward suicide in different cultural settings. She has also been involved in designing and implementing different suicide prevention programs.