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. 2015 Sep 29:15:24.
doi: 10.1186/s12873-015-0050-5.

A retrospective analysis of ethnic and gender differences in alcohol consumption among emergency department patients: a cross-sectional study

Shahram Lotfipour  1 , Victor Cisneros  2 , Uzor C Ogbu  3 , Christopher Eric McCoy  4 , Cristobal Barrios  5 , Craig L Anderson  6 , Wirachin Hoonpongsimanont  7 , Kristin Alix  8 , Bharath Chakravarthy  9
Affiliations

A retrospective analysis of ethnic and gender differences in alcohol consumption among emergency department patients: a cross-sectional study

Shahram Lotfipour et al. BMC Emerg Med. .

Abstract

Background: Previous studies of alcohol use have recognized several trends in consumption patterns among gender and age yet few have examined ethnic differences. This study examines the intra- and inter-ethnic differences in alcohol consumption among a population of patients seen in the emergency department.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in the emergency department in a large urban setting. Information on drinking behavior and ethnicity was collected using the Computerized Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention (CASI) tool. We explored differences in drinking patterns using a multivariate multinomial logistic regression model.

Results: We analyzed the drinking habits of 2,444 patients surveyed between November 2012 and May 2014. The results indicate that when compared to non-Hispanic whites, Asians have the lowest odds of drinking within normal limits or excessively, followed by other Latinos, and Mexicans. Age and gender consistently showed statistically significant associations with alcohol-use. The odds of drinking within normal limits or excessively are inversely associated with age and were lower among females. The predicted probabilities show a marked gender-specific difference in alcohol use both between and within ethnic/racial groups. They also highlight an age-related convergence in alcohol use between men and women within ethnic groups.

Discussion: The results of this study show intra-racial/ethnic variability associated with sex and education. The highlighted differences within and between ethnic groups reinforce the need to use refined categories when examining alcohol use among minorities.

Conclusion: The results of this study confirm some alcohol consumption trends among ethnic minorities observed in literature. It provides empirical evidence of the marked gender differences and highlights an age-related convergence for gender-specific alcohol use. Health-care personnel should be aware of these differences when screening and counseling.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Probability of being a nondrinker across ethnic groups and age categories
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Probability of drinking within normal limits across ethnic groups and age categories
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Probability of excessive drinking across ethnic groups and age categories
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Gender-specific probability of being a nondrinker across ethnic groups and age categories
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Gender-specific probability of drinking within normal limits across ethnic groups and age categories
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Gender-specific probability of excessive drinking across ethnic groups and age categories
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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