[Smoking, alcohol and drug use in Utrecht, The Netherlands, risk groups and socioeconomic differences in 1999 and 2003]

Abstract

Objective: To investigate trends in socio-economic inequalities in smoking, alcohol and drug use in the community of Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Design: Repeated cross-sectional population surveys.

Method: Questionnaires were used to collect information about smoking, (problematic) alcohol use and the use of cannabis, ecstasy and other drugs in the general population aged 15-64 years in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Data were collected in 1999 on 2485 responders (response: 56%) and in 2003 on 1840 responders (54%). The male-female ratio was 4:6.

Results: The percentage of smokers was 43 in 1999 and 34 in 2003. Excessive use of alcohol was reported by 21% in both 1999 and 2003, cannabis use was reported in 13% and 14%, respectively, and use of hard drugs was reported in 1-3% in both 1999 and 2003. Native Dutch people, men, unmarried people and people with a low education or income level were at increased risk for drinking, smoking and using drugs. People with a low socio-economic status were just as likely to smoke in 1999 as in 2003, while the use of alcohol, cannabis and ecstasy increased. Those with a higher socio-economic status were much less likely to smoke in 2003 than in 1999, while fewer used cannabis and ecstasy use remained the same.

Conclusion: Socio-economic inequalities in substance abuse were greater in 2003 than in 1999 in the studied population in Utrecht. People with a low socio-economic status showed an increase in unhealthy behaviour concerning the use of alcohol, cannabis and ecstasy.