Trends in alcohol consumption among spaniards between 1993, 1995 and 1997, from national health survey data

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the patterns of alcohol consumption in the general population between 1993, 1995 and 1997, using data from the National Health Surveys for those years. Methodology: The consumption of alcohol in the National Health Surveys, carried out by the Ministry of Health, from 1993, 1995 and 1997 was analyzed. Specifically, we analysed the frequency of weekly and daily drinkers, and the quantity of absolute alcohol consumed in gr/day. Drinkers were classified as low, moderate or high consumers. Results: The frequency of daily alcohol drinkers decreased in 1995 (23.4%) and 1997 (23.7%) in comparison with 1993 (24.8%). However, the frequency of weekly drinkers increased in 1995 (52.3%) and 1997 (53.2%) compared with 1993 (46.4%). The mean absolute of alcohol (gr/day) of weekly drinkers decreased from 1993 (27.84 gr/day) to 1995 (22.43 gr/ day) and 1997 (22.59 gr/day). There was no appreciable change in the amount (gr/day) consumed by daily drinkers. A decrease can be observed in 1995 and 1997 with respect to 1993 in the percentage of high consumption drinkers and an increase in that of low consumption drinkers. Conclusion: The present study shows changes in the consumption patterns of alcohol in the period studied. It should be pointed out that a quarter of the population over the age of 16 drinks alcohol on a daily basis, with an average of 40.73 gr/day of alcohol.