2
Views
0
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Article

A comparison of estimates of the prevalence of heavy drinkers in local regions of Queensland

, &
Pages 504-510 | Received 25 Jun 1997, Accepted 03 May 1998, Published online: 11 May 2010
 

Abstract

Objective: This study developed and compared separate estimates of the number of heavy drinkers (the in-need population for alcohol treatment interventions) across eight local regions in Queensland.

Method: Estimates were based on: (i) a self-report population survey of alcohol consumption; and (ii) an application of the Ledermann log-normal distribution of consumption model to liquor sale figures.

Results: Estimates based on the 1989–1990 National Health Survey (NHS) data indicated that 10.98% (n = 83 880) of adult male drinkers and 1.25% (n = 6581) of adult female drinkers in Queensland (total = 90 461) were on average drinking the equivalent of six or more standard drinks a day in the week prior to the survey (4.74% of Queensland adult drinkers, n = 90,461). Estimates based on the Ledermann model indicated that 12.18% of adult Queensland drinkers (n = 232,283) were drinking six or more standard drinks a day. Estimates based on the Ledermann model were 157% larger than estimates based on NHS data (i.e. a difference of 141 821 heavy drinkers), with large variations in the two estimates across local regions.

Conclusion: The NHS data appears to underestimate the population of heavy drinkers, whereas the Ledermann model overestimates it. In this situation, it seems preferable to use the more conservative self-report survey estimates.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.