Osong Public Health Res Perspect.  2019 Aug;10(4):205-214. 10.24171/j.phrp.2019.10.4.02.

Gender Differences in Harmful Use of Alcohol Among Korean Adults

• Park E
• Kim YS

• KMID: 2456571
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2019.10.4.02

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Harmful alcohol consumption is associated with considerable social and economic damage to individuals and society. Because gender and ethnic background influence alcohol intake differently, examining gender specific factors influencing harmful drinking is necessary. This study investigated gender differences in alcohol consumption, harmful drinking, and the associated factors among Korean adults.
METHODS
We analyzed the data from the 2012-2015 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Data from survey participants aged 20-64 years (N = 18,581) were included. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test was used for alcohol dependence, and pooled weights were used. Chi-squared tests and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted.
RESULTS
The prevalence of harmful alcohol use (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test score ≥ 16) was 10.7% in the total sample; 18.4% in men and 3.4% in women, which constituted a significant difference. Education, marital status, smoking, perceived stress, and depressive feeling were associated with harmful drinking in both genders. However, household income, occupation, and perceived health status were associated with harmful drinking only in men.
CONCLUSION
Since there are gender differences in harmful drinking and alcohol dependence, gender tailored prevention and intervention strategies for alcohol dependence are necessary including consideration of smoking, stress, and depressive feeling.

Keyword

alcohol dependence; depression; gender; smoking; survey

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Alcohol Drinking
Alcoholism
Depression
Drinking
Education
Family Characteristics
Female
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Marital Status
Nutrition Surveys
Occupations
Prevalence
Smoke
Smoking
Weights and Measures
Smoke