Associations of education and income with heavy drinking and problem drinking among men: evidence from a population-based study in Japan

Effect of COVID-19 Lockdown on Alcohol Consumption Among the Youths in Kampala, Uganda. A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic led to increased loneliness, emotional stress, and idleness due to job losses and school closures which can drive substance use among vulnerable populations like youths. Uganda has been identified as one of the countries with the highest alcohol consumption in Africa. Alcohol predisposes to a number of health concerns including mental health disorders, cardiovascular diseases among others. This study assessed the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on alcohol consumption among youths in Kampala, Uganda.

Methods

A quantitative cross-sectional study among randomly selected youth aged 18-35 years living in the five divisions of Kampala. Participation was strictly after informed consent was obtained. 381 youths were interviewed, both students and non-students were included in the study. The AUDIT-C questionnaire was used to measure the frequency and quantity. Frequent was defined as six or more drinks a week.

Results

We enrolled 381 participants in the study with a mean age of 26±4.6 years. More than half (60%) of the participants were male. 71% lived with family during the lockdown. Of the 64% that were employed before the lockdown, 54% lost their jobs. At least 42.5% of the participants reported alcohol consumption during the lockdown. Males consumed twice as much alcohol as females. Generally, the level of alcohol consumption decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic as the percentage of participants consuming alcohol dropped from 47.5% to 42.8%. Despite the overall decrease in the number of participants consuming alcohol, there was an increase in the frequency and amount of alcohol consumed on occasion during the pandemic.

Conclusion

Fewer youths consumed alcohol during the COVID-19 lockdown in Kampala, Uganda. However, those who did significantly increased their drinking amount and frequency. Male youths, those living with friends, and those with poor self-perceived mental health were more likely to increase their alcohol intake. Further investigation into increased alcohol consumption among youths post-COVID is necessary to understand the extent and long-term health implications.

A longitudinal study of alcohol consumption among adults in Victoria, Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVES

Whilst public health measures were effective in reducing COVID-19 transmission, unintended negative consequences may have occurred. This study aims to assess changes alcohol consumption and the heavy episodic drinking (HED) during the pandemic.

METHODS

Data were from the Optimise Study, a longitudinal cohort of Australian adults September 2020-August 2022 that over-sampled priority populations at higher risk of contracting COVID-19, developing severe COVID-19 or experiencing adverse consequences of lockdowns. Frequency of alcohol consumption (mean number of days per week) and past-week HED were self-reported. Generalised linear models estimated the association between time and (1) the frequency of alcohol consumption and (2) heavy episodic drinking.

RESULTS

Data from 688 participants (mean age: 44.7 years, SD:17.0; 72.7% female) and 10,957 surveys were included. Mean days of alcohol consumption per week decreased from 1.92 (SD: 1.92) in 2020 to 1.54 (SD:1.94) in 2022. The proportion of participants reporting HED decreased from 25.4% in 2020 to 13.1% in 2022. During two lockdown periods, known as "lockdown five", (OR:0.65, 95%CI [0.47,0.90]) and "lockdown six" (OR:0.76, 95%CI [0.67,0.87]), participants were less likely to report HED.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants alcohol drinking frequency and HED decreased during the pandemic. This study provides a strong description of alcohol consumption during the pandemic and suggests that lockdowns did not have the unintended consequences of increased alcohol consumption.

The association between adverse childhood experiences and alterations in brain volume and cortical thickness in adults with alcohol use disorder

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have established a connection between adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and alcohol use disorder (AUD), both of which are associated with alterations in grey matter volume (GMV) and cortical thickness (CT). The current study aimed to assess the neurobiological impact of ACE specifically in the context of AUD, as well as the role of maltreatment type (i.e., abuse or neglect) and timing.

METHODS

Structural MRI data were collected from 35 adults with AUD (mean age: 40; 31% female) and 28 healthy controls (mean age: 36; 61% female). ACE were assessed retrospectively using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and the Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology interview. Global and regional GMV and CT were estimated using voxel- and surface-based morphometry.

RESULTS

Relative to the healthy controls, the AUD group had significantly reduced CT in the left inferior frontal gyrus, left circular sulcus of the insula and subcentral gyrus and sulci (cluster C1), and in the central sulcus and precentral gyrus (cluster C2). Within the AUD group, a reduction of CT in cluster C1 was significantly associated with higher severity of ACE and AUD. Type and timing analyses revealed a significant association between higher levels of abuse at ages 13 to 15 and reduced CT in cluster C1 within the AUD group.

CONCLUSIONS

In adults with AUD, abuse experienced during early adolescence is associated with reduced CT in regions involved in inhibitory control, indicating the potential relevance of cognitive pathways in the association between ACE and AUD. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm and expand upon current findings.

Reduced Income and Its Associations with Physical Inactivity, Unhealthy Habits, and Cardiac Complications in the Hypertensive Population

(1) Background: A low socioeconomic status significantly increases the risk of hypertension and its associated cardiovascular diseases due to limited access to healthcare and may be even more accentuated by the presence of unhealthy lifestyle habits. The aim of the present research was to study if associations exist between having a family income under the poverty threshold and having an unhealthy diet, being physically inactive, being an alcohol drinker, perceiving one's own health as bad, and suffering from congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, heart attack, or stroke. Additionally, the odds ratios of having these unhealthy habits and of suffering from the abovementioned cardiac complications of participants under the poverty threshold were calculated. (2) Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2020. The sample comprised 6120 adults with hypertension (3188 males and 2932 females). A descriptive analysis and non-parametric chi-squared tests were used to study the associations. A binary logistic regression model and backward LR method were used to calculate the odds ratios, normalized by age and sex. (3) Results: The chi-squared test showed associations between having a family income under the poverty threshold and being physically inactive (p < 0.001), having an unhealthy diet (p < 0.001), being an alcohol drinker (p < 0.001), perceiving one's own health as bad (p < 0.001), and suffering from congestive heart failure (p = 0.002), heart attack (p = 0.001), or stroke (p = 0.02). A significantly increased odds ratio for these unhealthy habits and cardiac complications, and also for having coronary heart disease and angina pectoris, were found for hypertension sufferers under the poverty threshold. (4) Conclusions: It was confirmed that having a family income under the poverty threshold is associated with perceiving one's own health as bad, having a series of negative habits in terms of physical activity, diet, and alcohol consumption, and with suffering from congestive heart failure, heart attack, or stroke. Increased odds ratios for these unhealthy habits and these conditions, plus coronary heart disease and angina pectoris, were found for hypertension sufferers under the poverty threshold.

Psychotic-like experiences and problem drinking among adults in Japan

BACKGROUND

Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) are common in the general population and have been linked to alcohol misuse and abuse. However, much of this research has been undertaken in Western countries. To address this deficit, the current study examined the association between PLEs and problem drinking in the Japanese general population.

METHODS

Data were used from 3717 adults (age 18-89) collected in an online survey in 2023. Information was obtained on PLEs with the PRIME Screen-Revised (PS-R), while problem drinking was assessed with the CAGE questionnaire (where a score of ≥ 2 was used to categorize cases). Logistic regression was used to examine the associations.

RESULTS

Problem drinking was prevalent in the study sample (12.5%). In an analysis that was adjusted for sociodemographic factors, self-rated health, smoking status and depressive symptoms, PLEs were associated with significantly higher odds for problem drinking in the total sample (OR: 1.70, 95%CI: 1.13-2.55). In a sex-stratified analysis PLEs were not linked to problem drinking in men (OR: 1.16, 95%CI 0.68-2.00), whereas women with PLEs had over 2.8 times higher odds for problem drinking (OR: 2.83, 95%CI: 1.54-5.21).

CONCLUSION

PLEs are associated with problem drinking in the Japanese general population and this association is especially pronounced in women. As problem drinking has been linked to a number of detrimental outcomes, future research should examine the potential effects of problem drinking in individuals with PLEs.

Factors Related to Receipt of Help for Alcohol Use: Extending the Focus of Treatment to the Continuum of Unhealthy Alcohol Use

Background

Unhealthy alcohol use is one of the leading preventable causes of mortality in the U.S. Despite evidence of the growing burden of alcohol-associated mortality and disease, treatment is severely underutilized. Prior literature has often focused on assessing treatment among patients with severe alcohol use.

Objectives

Assess factors associated with uptake of treatment for alcohol use among a broad population of those regularly exceeding U.S. guidelines for alcohol use.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Methods

Using data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions - Wave III (NESARC-III) collected April 2012 to June 2013, weighted descriptive statistics were used to describe the U.S. population who self-reported regularly exceeding U.S. guidelines for moderate alcohol use at least monthly. Weighted multivariable regression was used to assess the association of individual-level factors with receipt of help for unhealthy alcohol use.

Results

In weighted analyses of 6467 NESARC-III participants, 17% of the U.S. population reported regular engagement in unhealthy alcohol use (76% use exceeding guidelines, 14% binge drinking, 11% heavy drinking) and were predominantly male (62%), below age 65 (93%), non-Hispanic White (65%), and had lower levels of education and income. Half (53%) met criteria for alcohol use disorder. Only 5% reported receipt of help for their alcohol use. Compared to non-Hispanic White individuals, non-Hispanic Asian/Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (odds ratio [OR] 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.18-0.90) and non-Hispanic Black (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.48-0.96) individuals were less likely to receive help for alcohol use. Factors associated with greater receipt of help included being older, educational attainment, Medicaid insurance, concomitant drug use, liver disease, acute healthcare utilization, and greater alcohol-related problems.

Conclusion

Identification of the factors associated with receipt of alcohol-related treatment, including race and ethnicity, age, education, insurance, and drug use can inform interventions to increase treatment receipt.

Association between oral condition and subjective psychological well-being among older adults attending a university hospital dental clinic: A cross-sectional study

Positive psychological well-being has a favorable impact on survival rates in both healthy and unhealthy populations. Oral health is also associated with psychological well-being, is multidimensional in nature, and includes physical, psychological, emotional, and social domains that are integral to overall health and well-being. This study aimed to identify the associations between individual and environmental characteristics, oral condition and nutritional status in relation to subjective well-being among older adults using the Wilson and Cleary conceptual model. The participants were older adults (age ≥ 60 years) attending a university hospital. Subjective well-being was assessed using the World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index, oral condition was assessed based on the number of bacteria in the tongue coating, oral wettability, tongue pressure, occlusal force, oral diadochokinesis, and masticatory ability, and subjective swallowing function was assessed using the Eating Assessment Tool, number of remaining teeth, and number of functional teeth. In addition, factors related to well-being, including social networks, life-space mobility, nutritional status, smoking history, drinking history, and medical history were assessed. In the analysis, structural equation modeling was used to investigate the association between oral condition and subjective well-being. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed oral condition as a latent variable, including tongue pressure, oral diadochokinesis /pa/, /ta/, /ka/, occlusal force, masticatory ability, subjective swallowing function, and number of functional teeth. Structural Equation Modeling revealed that oral condition was positively correlated with nutritional status, and nutritional status was positively correlated with the World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index. These findings suggest that oral condition may influence subjective well-being via nutritional status or social environmental factors.

Vaccination and risky behaviors: evidence from the hepatitis B vaccination campaign in China

Understanding the causal relationship between vaccination and individuals' risky behavioral responses has important policy implications as it affects the ultimate effectiveness of increasing access to vaccination. This paper examines the causal effects of vaccination on risky behaviors by exploring the 1992 hepatitis B vaccination campaign in China. Our empirical strategy exploits variations in age at the campaign as well as the pretreatment infection risks across provinces. Using a large cross-section of individuals born between 1981 and 1994, we find that more exposure to the hepatitis B vaccination leads to lower alcohol use during adulthood, and such impacts are almost entirely driven by men. Individuals from more educated families and people who live in urban areas tend to react more. Improved educational attainment and dissemination of related knowledge are important contributors. Our results uncover an unexpected benefit of promoting access to vaccination.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00148-023-00942-4.

Factors associated with an increase in tobacco use and alcohol drinking during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study of data from 105 countries

INTRODUCTION

The COVID-19 pandemic has inevitably led to monumental challenges, and alcohol drinking and tobacco use have unlikely been spared. This cross-sectional survey reports on factors associated with an increase in alcohol drinking and tobacco use during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

An online survey conducted in 2020, generated data from 14899 adults residing in 105 countries. Dependent variables were changes in alcohol drinking and tobacco use. Independent variables were age, sex, education level, job loss, lost or reduced wages, investment/retirement benefits, interrupted substance addiction care, and income level of the countries. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was computed to explore the associations between dependent and independent variables in adjusted models using the backward stepwise method. The probability of including or excluding a covariate was set at p(in)<0.05 and p(out)>0.1, respectively.

RESULTS

Of the regular alcohol consumers (N=4401), 22.9% reported an increase in their alcohol drinking. Of the regular tobacco users (N=2718), 31% reported an increase in their tobacco use. Job loss (Alcohol: AOR=1.26; Tobacco: AOR=1.32) and lost/reduced wages (Alcohol: AOR=1.52; Tobacco: AOR=1.52) were associated with higher odds of increased alcohol drinking and tobacco use. Many interruptions to addiction care (AOR=1.75) were associated with higher odds of increased alcohol drinking. Whereas no interruption to addiction care was associated with lower odds of increased alcohol drinking (AOR=0.77). Also, none (AOR=0.66) or some (AOR=0.70) interruptions to addiction care were associated with lower odds of increased tobacco use.

CONCLUSIONS

This global survey alludes to the unintended consequences of the current COVID-19 pandemic on alcohol drinking and tobacco use. It is critical that the strategies for emergency responses should include support to ameliorate the impact of financial distress and disruption in substance dependence treatment services.

Economic, cognitive, and social paths of education to health-related behaviors: evidence from a population-based study in Japan

BACKGROUND

There is substantial evidence on the association between lower education and unhealthy behaviors. However, the mechanism underlying this association remains unclear. This study aimed to examine whether income, health literacy, and social support mediate the association between education and health-related behaviors.

METHODS

A questionnaire survey was conducted in metropolitan areas in Japan from 2010 to 2011 among residents aged 25-50 years. Data from 3663 participants were used in this study. Health literacy was measured using the Communicative and Critical Health Literacy scale. Health-related behaviors were current smoking, poor dietary habits, hazardous drinking, and lack of exercise. Poisson regression analyses with robust variance estimators were conducted to examine the associations between education and these health-related behaviors. Multiple mediation analyses were conducted to estimate the magnitudes of the mediating effects of income, health literacy, and social support on these associations.

RESULTS

Less educated participants had higher risks of all unhealthy behaviors. Income mediated the associations of education with smoking (6.4%) and exercise (20.0%). Health literacy mediated the associations of education with dietary habits (15.4%) and exercise (16.1%). Social support mediated the associations of education with dietary habits (6.4%) and exercise (7.6%). The education-drinking association was mediated by income in the opposite direction (-10.0%). The proportions of the total effects mediated by income, health literacy, and social support were 9.8% for smoking, 24.0% for dietary habits, -3.0% for drinking, and 43.7% for exercise.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings may provide clues for designing effective interventions to reduce educational inequalities in health-related behaviors.

Differences in the Prevalence and Profile of DSM-IV and DSM-5 Alcohol Use Disorders-Results from the Singapore Mental Health Study 2016

INTRODUCTION

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) criteria for alcohol use disorders (AUD) was a significant shift from the historical DSM-IV Text Revised version. Following this shift in diagnostic criteria, a difference in the prevalence of AUD was expected. The current study aimed to evaluate the consequences of the modification of the diagnostic criteria from DSM-IV to DSM-5 AUD using lifetime diagnosis in Singapore's multi-ethnic population using data from a nationwide epidemiological study.

METHODS

Respondents were assessed for lifetime mental disorders using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) administered through face-to-face interviews. Lifetime DSM-IV AUD diagnoses were compared with DSM-5 AUD diagnoses generated by modifying the criteria and the addition of the craving criterion. Sociodemographic correlates of lifetime DSM-IV/DSM-5 AUD were examined using multiple logistic regression analysis. Associations between DSM-IV/DSM-5 AUD, chronic conditions, and the HRQOL summary scores were examined using logistic and linear regression after controlling for significant sociodemographic factors.

RESULTS

The lifetime prevalence of DSM-IV AUD was 4.6% (0.5% for dependence and 4.1% for abuse) in the adult population, while the lifetime prevalence of DSM-5 AUD was 2.2%. Younger age, male gender, and lower education were associated with higher odds of both DSM-IV and DSM-5 AUD. However, those who were economically inactive (versus employed) (AOR, 0.4; 95% CI 0.2-0.9) and had a higher monthly household income (SGD 4000-5999 versus below SGD 2000) had lower odds of DSM-IV AUD (AOR, 0.4; 95% CI 0.2-0.7), but this was not observed among those with DSM-5 AUD. Both DSM-IV and DSM-5 AUD were associated with significant comorbidities in terms of other mental disorders; however, those diagnosed with lifetime GAD had significantly higher odds of having DSM-5 AUD (AOR, 5; 95% CI 1.9-13.2) but not DSM-IV AUD.

CONCLUSIONS

While using the DSM-5 criteria would result in a lower prevalence of AUD in Singapore, it remains a highly comorbid condition associated with a poor health-related quality of life that is largely untreated, which makes it a significant public health concern.

Association of supply sources of alcohol and alcohol-related harms in adolescent drinkers: the baseline characteristics of a high school cohort across Thailand

BACKGROUND

The main objective of this study was to investigate the association between parental supply of alcohol, alcohol-related harms, and the severity of alcohol use disorder in Thai 7th grade middle school students.

METHODS

A cross-sectional descriptive study obtained the baseline data from the project named the Thailand Parental Supply and Use of Alcohol, Cigarettes & Drugs Longitudinal Study Cohort in Secondary School Students in 2018. The sample size was 1187 students who have ever sipped or drank alcohol in the past 12 months. Pearson's Chi square, binary logistic regression, and ordinal logistic regression are applied in the analysis.

RESULTS

A single source of parental supply is not significantly associated with any alcohol-related harm and the severity of alcohol use disorder, while parental supply with peers and siblings supply of alcohol plays an important role in both outcomes. The increasing number of sources of alcohol supply increases the risk of alcohol-related harm and the severity of alcohol use disorder. Other risk factors found in both associations included binge drinking, alcohol flushing, low household economic status, distance from the student's family, and poor academic performance. Gender, exposure to alcohol ads on social media and location of residency were not associated with alcohol-related harms or severity of alcohol use disorder.

CONCLUSIONS

The results did not support parental guidance in teaching or giving children a drink or sip of alcohol within family to prevent related harms when drinking outside with their peers.

Role of multiple risk factors in mental disorders diagnosed in middle-aged women: A population-based follow-up study

The aims of the study were 1). to investigate the association between the potential risk factors including socio-demographic, lifestyle and DNA methylation and mental disorders in middle-aged women from a large population-based follow-up study, and 2). to estimate the risk score by combining the potential risk factors to examine the mental disorder's incidence. A total of 6461 women, aged 50-65 years, were included in the study. After a median follow-up of 17 years, 2026 (31%) women were diagnosed with mental disorders. The association between these factors and the risk of mental disorders was analyzed using Cox regression models. Harrell's concordance index (C-index) was used to quantify models' predictive performance for future mental disorders. Blood-based global DNA methylation was assessed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We found that smoking (HR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.24-1.54), less physical activity (HR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.10-1.60), being single (HR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.04-1.29) and unemployment (HR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.33-1.70) were independently associated with an increased risk of overall mental disorders. Risk score models combining all these observed factors showed an increased risk, but the prediction ability was low, except for the risk of alcohol use disorders (AUD) and drug use disorders (DUD) (C-index = 0.8). Finally, women who developed MDD/anxiety during follow-up had significantly higher global DNA methylation at baseline than women who did not develop MDD/anxiety (p = 0.005). In conclusion, our results indicate that the studied risk factors were associated with mental disorders in a type-specific manner. The predictive model showed that smoking, alcohol consumption, education and physical activity may predict future AUD/DUD. Global DNA methylation may be a potential risk factor for MDD/anxiety incidence.

Perceived mental health, work, and life stress in association with the amount of weekly alcohol consumption among Canadian adults who have ever drank

Background

Excess alcohol consumption has multifaceted adverse impacts at individual, household, and community levels. The study primarily aims at assessing the role of perceived health and stress in alcohol consumption among adults in Canada who have ever drank.

Methods

The study was conducted based on a total of 35,928 Canadian adults aged 18 and above who have ever drank, extracted from the 2017–2018 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) data. A mixed-effect Negative Binomial (NB) regression model was used to determine the effects of three key risk factors (perceived mental health, life stress, and work stress) in association with the self-reported number of weekly alcohol consumption, controlling for other variables in the model.

Results

The study found that regular alcohol consumption among ever drank Canadian adults is high, with the self-reported number of weekly alcohol consumption ranging from 0 to 210. The results of adjusted mixed-effect NB regression showed that the expected mean of alcohol consumption was significantly higher among those with a poorer perception of mental health, higher perceived work, and life stress. Nonsmokers have a much lower mean score of alcohol consumption compared to those who smoke daily. There was a significant interaction between racial background and the three key predictors (perceived mental health, life stress, and work stress).

Conclusion

Given the reported perceived health and stress significantly impacts alcohol consumption, the findings suggested improving individual/group counseling, and health education focusing on home and work environment to prevent and manage life stressors and drivers to make significant program impacts.

Drinking Expectancies among Chinese Young Adults: A Qualitative Study from Hong Kong

BACKGROUND

Alcohol expectancies, i.e., the perceived consequences of drinking, have been reported to be important factor in predicting drinking behaviors. However, studies in the Asia region were largely limited to school-based samples. This study aimed to be the first to explore drinking expectancies among urban Chinese young adults.

METHODS

In 2020, eight focus group discussions were conducted with Hong Kong Chinese young adults aged 18-34 (n = 53). The participants included heavy drinkers, light drinkers, and non-drinkers from a wide range of occupations and educational backgrounds. Thematic analysis was conducted to uncover common alcohol expectancies.

RESULTS

Six themes emerged from this study. Four themes that were commonly reported in the literature were the negative consequences of drinking, social bonding, confidence enhancement, and tension reduction. The study also uncovered two culturally relevant alcohol expectancies: health benefits and business drinking expectancies. In contrast to Western samples, Chinese young adults did not report drinking expectancies related to cognitive enhancement or increased sexual interest.

CONCLUSION

Alcohol harm reduction strategies will need to address the positive drinking expectancies uncovered in this study. Future policy discussions in this emerging alcohol market region should consider greater scrutiny of the role of alcohol marketing in the propagation of positive drinking expectancies.

Family influences on older adults' problem drinking: A representative nationwide study of China

Aim

It is reported that problem drinking is severe among the elderly. The family environment has been regarded as a significant effecting factor in alcohol consumption of the drinker. With the increasing number of older people, paying more attention to this vulnerable group's drinking status and its' influencing factors is substantial for improving older adults' health and the quality of health services.

Methods

This study used data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy and Longevity Study (CLHLS), which was a representative survey covering 23 provinces in mainland China. Cross-sectional analyses were conducted with 15,142 older individuals (aged ≥65 years). Three self-reported questions about drinking behavior were examined to calculate alcohol consumption and categorize problem drinkers. Three multi-level models were utilized while adjusting for numerous socio-demographic and self-reported health factors to analyze the effect of family factors associated with problem drinking among the elderly.

Results

A total of 1,800 problem drinkers (12%) were identified in the sample. Key factors for the problem drinker were assessed such as Hukou (governmental household registration system), current marital status, years of schooling, primary caregivers, and financial sources of living were associated with problem drinking. The older population who live in rural areas (OR = 1.702, CI = 1.453, 1.994), with advanced years of education (OR = 1.496, CI = 1.284, 1.744), and making life by themselves (OR = 1.330, CI = 1.139, 1.552) were more likely to engage in problem drinking while those participants who are widowed (OR = 0.678, CI = 0.574, 0.801), cared for by children or other relatives (OR = 0.748, CI = 0.642, 0.871), adult care giver (OR = 0.348, CI = 0.209, 0.578) or by no one (OR = 0.539, CI = 0.348, 0.835), provided with financial support from their children (OR = 0.698, CI = 0.605, 0.806), other relatives (OR = 0.442, CI = 0.332, 0.587), or the government/community (OR = 0.771, CI = 0.650, 0.915), with insufficient financial support (OR = 0.728, CI = 0.608, 0.872) were at lower risk of problem drinking.

Conclusions

This study provides a strong correlation of various family factors that were associated with problem drinking among the elderly. The findings underscore the effort to promote healthy behaviors, including the importance of positive family factors and appropriate levels of alcohol consumption.

Findings from a Nationwide Study on Alcohol Consumption Patterns in an Upper Middle-Income Country

Alcohol consumption is a risk factor for various diseases, especially non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and injuries. The reduction of the harmful use of alcohol is mentioned in Target 3.5 of the Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDG). This study aimed to determine factors associated with current alcohol drinking among Malaysians aged 15 years and above. Data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019, a cross-sectional nationwide survey using a two-stage stratified random sampling design, was used. Current alcohol drinking was defined as having consumed any alcoholic beverage in the past 12 months. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analysis were employed. The prevalence of current drinkers was 11.5%; 95% CI: 9.8, 13.5. The majority (65%) consumed alcoholic beverages in Category 2, which is mainly beer. Current drinkers consumed alcohol mostly once a month (59.0%), one or two drinks (71.1%), on a typical day. Most respondents had six or more drinks less than once a month (27.6%). Sex, age, ethnicity, education, employment, and smoking were found to be significantly associated with current alcohol drinking. Marital status, locality of residence, and household income were not significantly associated. Alcohol drinking is a problem among certain vulnerable groups and should be tackled appropriately.

Problem drinkers and high risk-taking behaviors under the stay-at-home policy of the COVID-19 emergency declaration

Background

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine whether problem drinkers have had high risk-taking behaviors during the stay-at-home policy (e.g., dining out at a bar) under the COVID-19 emergency declaration.

Methods

We investigated data from Japan COVID-19 and Society Internet Survey(JACSIS)study—a web-based nationwide survey, conducted from August to September 2020. From a total of 12,076 current drinkers, problem drinkers were detected by Cut, Annoyed, Guilty, and Eye-opener (CAGE) questions. A CAGE score of 4 showed potential alcohol use disorder and scores of 2 to3 showed potential alcohol abuse; individuals with these scores were regarded as problem drinkers compared to light-or-no-risk drinkers, with a CAGE score of 0 to 1. The outcome assessed the presence of 18 behaviors against the stay-at-home policy, such as dining out at a bar, meeting people, or going to crowded places. All these behaviors were limited in Japan during the first declaration of emergency between April and May 2020.

Results

Based on the multivariable logistic regression, the participants with potential alcohol use disorder demonstrated 16 out of the 18 risk-taking behaviors, such as dining out at a bar (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.08; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.56–2.79), dining out at a restaurant (aOR: 1.79; 95% CI:1.37–2.35), visiting friends (aOR: 1.81; 95% CI: 1.34–2.44), going to karaoke (1.97; 95% CI: 1.26–3.10), and riding on a crowded train (aOR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.07–1.99), compared to light-or-no risk drinkers with a CAGE score of 0 to 1. Additionally, participants with potential alcohol abuse (CAGE score of 2 to 3) had 10 out of 18 behaviors against the stay-at-home policy: the corresponding aORs for the aforementioned behaviors were 1.45 (95% CI: 1.25–1.67), 1.27 (95% CI: 1.12–1.44), 1.17 (95% CI: 1.01–1.36), 1.49 (95% CI: 1.17–1.90), and 1.19 (95% CI: 1.03–1.38), respectively. Problem drinkers had a significant association with being men, a higher income and job position, smoking, sleep deprivation, depression, and other mental diseases.

Conclusions

Overall, problem drinkers were more likely to have higher risk-taking behaviors against the stay-at-home policy, compared to light-or-no-risk drinkers.

Association of alcohol consumption with the incidence of proteinuria and chronic kidney disease: a retrospective cohort study in Japan

BACKGROUND

The difference in the clinical impact of alcohol consumption on kidney function based on sex remains to be elucidated. This study aimed to assess the association between the dose of alcohol consumption and the incidence of proteinuria and chronic kidney disease stratified by sex.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included 26,788 workers (19,702 men and 7086 women) with normal renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m²) at annual health examinations between January 2010 and March 2015 in Japan. The main exposure was alcohol consumption. The primary outcomes were the incidence of proteinuria (dipstick urinary protein ≥ 1) and incidence of low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; rate < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m²; decreased from the baseline eGFR by 25%).

RESULTS

During a median observational period of 4 years (interquartile range: 2-6), 1993 (10.1%) men and 462 (6.5%) women developed proteinuria, whereas 667 (3.4%) men and 255 (3.6%) women developed low eGFR. After adjustment for clinically relevant factors using a Cox proportional hazards model, alcohol consumption of ≥ 46 g/day in females was significantly associated with the incidence of proteinuria (hazard ratio, 1.57; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-2.26) and low eGFR (hazard ratio, 1.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-2.53). However, no significant association between alcohol consumption and primary outcomes was observed in men.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, daily higher alcohol consumption was significantly associated with a higher incidence of proteinuria and low eGFR among women. Women might be prone to high alcohol consumption with kidney dysfunction.

Patterns and predictors of alcohol use during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: Longitudinal cohort study

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic has resulted in disruptions across many life domains. The distress associated with the pandemic itself, and with public health efforts to manage the outbreak, could result in increased alcohol use. This study aimed to quantify changes in alcohol use during the early stages of the pandemic and factors associated with different patterns of use.

Methods

Data were obtained from a longitudinal survey of a representative Australian adult sample (N = 1296, 50% female, M_age = 46.0) conducted from March to June 2020, during the first wave of the COVID‐19 outbreak in Australia. Change in alcohol consumption was examined using Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test‐Consumption (AUDIT‐C) scores from waves one, three, five, and seven of the study, each 4 weeks apart. Factors associated with alcohol consumption were examined, including depression (PHQ‐9) and anxiety (GAD‐7) symptoms, health risk tolerance, stress and coping, work and social impairment (WSAS), COVID impacts, and sociodemographic variables. We tested changes in alcohol use across the full sample using a mixed effects repeated measure ANOVA model and a multinomial logistic regression to identify factors assessed at wave 1 that were independently associated with alcohol use.

Results

There was no significant change in AUDIT‐C scores across the study. For most participants, alcohol use did not increase during the early phase of the COVID‐19 pandemic in Australia. COVID‐19 exposure, higher perceived coping, depression symptoms, and male gender were associated with greater odds of increasing or elevated levels of alcohol use. Social changes, which included working from home, had mixed effects on alcohol consumption.

Conclusions

Although no evidence was found for increased alcohol use overall during the early months of the pandemic, several factors were associated with alcohol consumption at risky levels. Greater understanding of motivations for drinking across public and private contexts, along with targeted support for high‐risk groups, could assist in reducing harm associated with alcohol consumption.

Association of Esophageal Cancer Mortality with Municipal Socioeconomic Deprivation Level in Japan, 2013–2017: An Ecological Study Using Nationwide Data

This study aimed to show geographical differences in esophageal cancer mortality in Japan and reveal an association of esophageal cancer mortality with municipal socioeconomic deprivation level. Esophageal cancer mortality data in the Vital Statistics from 2013 to 2017 for each municipality and corresponding population data were analyzed. The deprivation level was derived from the municipal socioeconomic variables by principal component analysis. Municipalities were classified into five quintiles based on the deprivation level, and an association between the level and esophageal cancer mortality was evaluated using a Bayesian spatial model. As a result of regression analysis, the relative risk of esophageal cancer mortality tended to become larger as the deprivation level increased irrespective of sex, and the relative risk of esophageal cancer mortality was significantly higher in quintile 5 (most deprived) than quintile 1 (least deprived) among men and women. These results suggest that the deprivation level increases the risk of esophageal cancer mortality in Japan.

Gender Differences in the Factors Associated with Alcohol Binge Drinking: A Population-Based Analysis in a Latin American Country

Alcohol consumption is a public health problem in Peru, fostered by traditional practices, where promoting social interaction in celebrations, facilitating field work as a source of energy and warmth, and achieving objectives in certain labor negotiations, play an important role. However, research on the risk factors of binge drinking according to gender is limited. The study aim was to determine the factors associated with binge drinking in the Peruvian adult population by gender. An analytical study of secondary data from the 2018 Peruvian Demographic and Family Health Survey was conducted. The dependent variable was binge drinking in the last 30 days. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) were estimated for the association between sociodemographic and health-related variables with binge drinking. A total of 32,020 adults were included. Binge drinking was found in 22.4%. Men (32.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 31.4–33.8) presented a higher consumption pattern compared to women (12.8%; 95% CI: 12.0–13.6). For both genders, differences were found in binge drinking according to sociodemographic characteristics (age and wealth quintile was associated in both genders while the educational level was associated only for men, and ethnic self-identification and marital status for women) and health- characteristics related (health insurance, smoking in the last 30 days, overweight and obesity were associated in both genders). Several factors are associated with binge drinking according to gender in the Peruvian population, including age and education level among men, as well as marital status and ethnic self-identification among women.

Clustering of health behaviors among Japanese adults and their association with socio-demographics and happiness

Background

Scholars have associated happiness with health behaviors, which co-occur and exert synergistic effects. Therefore, identifying clusters of health behaviors and their effect on happiness can contribute to the development of strategies for promoting happiness and improving health behaviors.

Aim

This study aimed to examine clusters of health behaviors and their associations with socio-demographics and with happiness among Japanese adults.

Methods

This study used data from the Japanese Household Panel Survey and the Keio Household Panel Survey. Questionnaires were distributed to 4,993 households out of which 1,554 responses were analyzed (participants aged 27−65 years). The survey included health behaviors (alcohol consumption, smoking, vegetable and fruit consumption, breakfast-eating habits, and physical activities), happiness, and socio-demographics. Latent class analysis was conducted to identify the clusters, whereas latent regression was employed to investigate socio-demographics related to the clusters. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the relation between happiness and the clusters.

Results

Two health behavior clusters were identified: Cluster 1 (low substance use and good dietary habit; n = 817; 52.3%) and Cluster 2 (high alcohol, poor nutrition, and inactive; n = 737; 47.7%). Latent regression analysis indicated that all socio-demographics, barring socioeconomic status, were significantly associated with the clusters. The “low substance use and good dietary habit” cluster was significantly related with higher odds of happiness (odds ratio = 1.425, 95% confidence interval = 1.146−1.772, p = 0.001).

Conclusions

This study identified health behavior clusters among Japanese adults and established the association between the “low substance use and good dietary habit” cluster and high levels of happiness. However, the causality of the relationship between health behavior and happiness remains unclear, which highlights the need for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Spatial Distribution and Factors Associated With Risky Health Behavior Among Adult Males Aged 15-59 Years in Ethiopia: Generalized Structural Equation Modeling

Background

Alcohol drinking and tobacco smoking are the largest preventable causes of death and important risk factors for a number of non-communicable diseases and cause premature death and many socioeconomic consequences. Therefore, the present study is aimed to assess the spatial distribution of risky health behavior and its associated factors among adult males in Ethiopia.

Methods

All men (12,688) within the age range of 15-59 years were included in the final analysis. The distribution of risky health behavior across the country was observed by using ArcGIS software. In SaTScan software, the Bernoulli model was fitted by Kulldorff methods to identify the purely spatial clusters of risky health behavior. Generalized Structural Equation Model (GSEM) was used to determine factors associated with risky health behavior (regular alcohol drinking and tobacco smoking).

Results

Risky health behavior had spatial variation across the country. The primary clusters were located in Tigray, Amhara, and north-eastern Benishangul national regional states. Spatial scan statistics identified 118 primary clusters [Log-Likelihood ratio (LLR) = 524.8, p < 0.001]. Residence, frequency of listening to a radio, occupation, and frequency of watching television were significantly associated with drinking alcohol, whereas wealth index was associated with tobacco smoking. Age, region, educational status, marital status, and religion had association with both domains of risky health behavior.

Conclusion

Risky health behavior had spatial variation across the country. Bans on advertising and promotion of alcohol and tobacco on national press media should be strengthened. Aggressive health education efforts should be directed toward this high-risk population (Tigray, Amhara, and north-eastern Benishangul regional states). Improving risky health behavior is an important approach to reducing health disparities and promoting a more cost-effective utilization of scarce resources in the public health sector.

Difference in the prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors depending on area-level deprivation in Japan

Objectives

Area-level deprivation is an important factor related to mortality or health behaviors; however, a study investigating differences in hypertension prevalence depending on area-level deprivation has not been conducted in Japan. We investigated differences in the prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors, i.e. obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and heavy alcohol drinking depending on area-level deprivation using nationwide health checkups data in 2018.

Results

Area-level deprivation was derived from census data. An analysis of the data by secondary medical areas revealed that the age-standardized proportions of individuals whose systolic blood pressure was ≥ 140 mmHg, those whose diastolic blood pressure was ≥ 90 mmHg, those whose body mass index was ≥ 25 or 30 kg/m², smokers, and heavy alcohol drinkers showed an increasing trend with an increase in the deprivation level. The relative index of inequality, which can be interpreted as the ratio of the age-standardized proportion for the most deprived area compared with that for the least deprived area, was significantly greater than 1 for all proportions, except for the proportion of drinkers in women. Overall, there was a disparity in the prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors depending on area-level deprivation.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13104-022-05931-6.

An analysis of health inequalities depending on educational level using nationally representative survey data in Japan, 2019

Background

In recent years, socioeconomic differences in health statuses and behaviors have not been investigated from the nationally representative survey data in Japan. In this study, we showed differences in representative health behaviors and statuses depending on educational level using a nationally representative survey data in Japan.

Methods

Aggregated (not individual level) data from the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions in 2019 were used to examine the association between educational level and outcome status of psychological distress (K6 scores > = 5), self-rated health, smoking, alcohol drinking, and cancer screening participation (stomach, lung, colorectal, breast, and uterine cancers). Data of 217,179 households in Japan were aggregated by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare in the survey, and the data of the estimated number of household members and persons corresponding to each response option for the questions in all of Japan were used. Five-year age groups from 20 to 24 to 80–84 years and over 84 years were analyzed, and the prevalence or participation rate by educational level were calculated. In addition, the age-standardized prevalence or participation rate according to educational level were also calculated by sex. Moreover, a Poisson regression model was applied for evaluating an association of educational level with the outcomes.

Results

As a result, a clear gradient by educational level was observed in almost all the age groups for the prevalence of psychological distress, poor self-rated health, and smoking and participation rates in cancer screening, and high educational level were associated with better health-related behaviors and statuses. Conversely, drinking prevalence was shown to be higher rather in highly educated people. In addition, a statistically significant association of educational level with all the outcomes was observed.

Conclusion

It was shown that disparities in health behaviors and statuses still persisted in recent years, and the findings suggested that further measures should be taken to tackle this disparity.

Association between age at first alcohol use and heavy episodic drinking: An analysis of Thailand's smoking and alcohol drinking behavior survey 2017

According to evidence from developed countries, age at first alcohol use has been identified as a determinant of heavy episodic drinking (HED). This study aimed to investigate the association between age at first alcohol use and HED using data from the Smoking and Drinking Behavior Survey 2017, a Thai nationally representative survey. Binary logistic regression was used to examine the association. This study used data from 23,073 current drinkers in the survey. The survey participants were chosen to represent the Thai population aged 15 years and older. The prevalence of HED and frequent HED among Thai drinkers was 18.6% and 10.1%, respectively. Age at first drinking <20 years was associated with higher odds of HED (adjusted OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.26-1.62) and frequent HED (adjusted OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.12-1.53) relative to age at first drinking ≥25 years. Regular drinking, drinking at home, and exposure to alcohol advertising increased the odds of HED. Drinking at home was associated with frequent HED. There was a significant interaction between the effect of age at first alcohol use and sex on HED and frequent HED with a stronger effect of age at first alcohol use observed in females. This study provides evidence from a developing country that early onset of alcohol use is associated with HED. Effective measures such as tax and pricing policy should be enforced to delay the onset of drinking.

The Clustering of Health-Related Behaviors in the Adult Japanese Population

BACKGROUND

Research findings indicate that four health-related behaviors (HRBs), smoking, alcohol, diet, and physical activity, do not co-occur within individuals by chance and therefore cluster. To date, there is a lack of research investigating the clustering of these HRBs in the Japanese population.

METHODS

The Japanese National Health and Nutrition Survey 2010 was used, containing information on 8,015 community-dwelling adults. Latent profile analysis identified distinct cluster patterns of four HRBs: smoking status, alcohol consumption, calorie intake, and the number of steps per day.

RESULTS

For men, four distinct HRB clusters were identified. The largest cluster (54%) was characterized by drinking more than Japan's recommended alcohol guidelines and walking an inadequate number of steps per day. A small cluster (4%) also emerged, characterized by smoking, high calorie intake, and exceeding alcohol guidelines. Members of these clusters had higher systolic blood pressure than those in the remaining clusters. For women, five distinct HRB clusters were identified. The largest cluster (57%) was characterized by not smoking or drinking and walking an inadequate number of steps per day. For both genders, there was a relationship between cluster membership and age. Cluster membership was associated with income and health status among men but not women.

CONCLUSION

Detecting distinct clusters of HRBs in a Japanese population-based survey provides a person-centered understanding of Japanese lifestyles. This approach can assist policy makers in Japan and overseas to identify new strategies for targeting behavioral risk factors and make health promotion policies more effective in their respective countries.

Associations of education and income with hazardous drinking among postpartum women in Japan: results from the TMM BirThree Cohort Study

Background

Although the postpartum period is suggested to provide an ideal opportunity for interventions to prevent hazardous drinking, evidence on the associations of education and income with hazardous drinking during this period is limited, including in Japan.

Methods

We analyzed data from 11,031 women who participated in the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three-Generation Cohort Study in Japan. Hazardous drinking was defined as ethanol intake of ≥20 g/day 1 year after delivery. We conducted multiple logistic regression analyses to examine whether educational attainment or equivalent household income was associated with hazardous drinking, adjusting for age, parity, drinking status during pregnancy, work status, postpartum depression, breastfeeding, and income/education. We also conducted stratified analyses by income and education groups.

Results

The prevalence of hazardous drinking 1 year after delivery was 3.6%. Lower education was associated with hazardous drinking; the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of high school education or lower compared with university education or higher was 2.17 (1.59–2.98). Lower income was also associated with hazardous drinking, but this association disappeared after further adjustments for education; the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of the lowest compared with highest level of income were 1.42 (1.04–1.94) and 1.12 (0.81–1.54), respectively. A significant interaction was detected; lower education and lower income were associated with increased risks of hazardous drinking only in a lower income group and lower education group, respectively.

Conclusions

Postpartum women with lower education and lower income had higher risks of hazardous drinking in Japan.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12199-021-00991-9.

An analysis of predictors for heavy alcohol drinking using nationally representative survey data in Japan

Background

Predictors of heavy or moderate alcohol drinking behavior have not been investigated using recent nationally representative survey data in Japan. This study investigated the effects of the predictors of heavy and moderate alcohol drinking in Japan using nationally representative survey data.

Methods

Anonymous data from the 2013 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions in Japan were used to compare the predictors of heavy and moderate drinkers with those who abstain. Anonymized data that are resampled from all the survey data from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare were obtained. Age group, marital status, living arrangements, educational level, household income, smoking status, and employment type were used as the explanatory variables. In addition, the drinking status (i.e., heavy drinker, moderate drinker, or abstainer) was used as the outcome variable. A multinomial logistic regression model was used, and an analysis comparing heavy drinkers and abstainers, as well as moderate drinkers and abstainers, was conducted.

Results

Moderate drinking was positively associated with high educational level or high household income for men and women, as well as married status for men. In addition, unemployment was found to be negatively associated with heavy drinking for men and women, and an unmarried status was also found to be negatively associated with heavy drinking for men. Moreover, lower educational levels and smoking prevalence were found to be associated with heavy drinking for men and women. Furthermore, living alone for men and working in a large-scale company for women were also found to be predictors of heavy drinking.

Conclusions

The preventive measures for heavy drinking were suggested to be particularly needed for those with lower educational levels and smokers. A call for attention among men living alone and among female employees in large-scale workplaces is also needed.

Socioeconomic Predictors of Trends in Cancer Mortality among Municipalities in Japan, 2010-2019

Background:

A study investigating associations between various socioeconomic factors and standardized mortality ratios (SMR) of each type of cancer among municipalities in Japan has not been conducted using the data of the past decade. Herein, we investigated the predictors of a recent trend of municipal SMRs of cancer using the Vital Statistics in Japan and revealed the change in the SMRs depending on the identified predictors.

Methods:

Data on cancer mortality for each municipality in 2010 and 2019 were used. We calculated empirical Bayes SMR (EBSMR) for each municipality by type of cancer and sex and then fitted a multiple linear regression model using possible predictors in 2010 as explanatory variables and the EBSMR in 2019 as the outcome variable. We also classified municipalities into quintiles based on the values of an identified predictor in 2010, and SMRs of each type of cancer in 2010 and 2019 were calculated for each quintile.

Results:

The total population was positively associated with EMSMRs of multiple cancer types, whereas educational level was negatively associated with EMSMRs of multiple cancer types. In addition, SMRs of municipalities with the lowest educational level deteriorated from 2010 to 2019 for many cancer types among men and women, and the difference between municipalities with the highest and lowest educational level for the SMR of cancer in all sites widened in 2019 for men. On the other hand, the SMR of municipalities with the highest educational level or the largest total population tended to be higher than municipalities with lower counterparts in both 2010 and 2019 for women.

Conclusion:

There was a difference in the trend of the SMRs of multiple types of cancer depending on municipal educational level, whereas municipalities with larger population or educational level continued to have higher SMRs of cancer in all sites for women.

Smoking and drinking among patients with mental disorders: Evidence from a nationally representative Japanese survey

BACKGROUND

No studies to date have addressed the association of mental disorder with smoking and drinking behaviors independent of anxiety and depressive symptoms. We therefore examined this association, stratified by age and sex, to determine the target population for behavioral modification in Japan.

METHODS

We analyzed data from participants aged 20-79 years without hospitalized or institutionalized status who participated in the nationwide Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions conducted in 2016. Prevalence ratios (PRs) for current smoking, heavy daily smoking (>20 cigarettes per day), at-risk drinking (>100 g alcohol per week), and heavy drinking (>350 g) were calculated with adjustment for potential confounders. After stratification by age (20-39, 40-64, and 65-79 years) and sex, prevalence and PRs were calculated using propensity scores.

RESULTS

From among 340,194 participants, 8275 (2.4%) had mental disorder. Presence of mental disorder was significantly associated with current smoking (PR=1.18, 95%CI=1.12-1.23) and heavy daily smoking (PR=1.35, 95%CI=1.21-1.50) and inversely associated with at-risk drinking (PR=0.70, 95%CI=0.66-0.75). PRs for smoking behavior were higher in women than in men and in younger adults than in the other age groups. They were particularly high in younger women (PR=1.67 for current smokers and PR=2.17 for heavy daily smokers).

LIMITATIONS

Our findings were obtained from a cross-sectional study.

CONCLUSION

This is the first evidence that the association of mental disorder with smoking behavior is independent of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Our results indicate the need for tailored behavioral modification interventions for young people with mental disorders in Japan, particularly young women.

Socioeconomic Disparities in All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality Rates among Municipalities in Japan, 1999-2019

Differences in all-cause and cause-specific mortality rates depending on municipal socioeconomic status (SES) in Japan have not been revealed over the last 20 years. This study exposes the difference in 1999 and 2019 using the Vital Statistics. All of the municipalities were grouped into five quintiles based on their SES, and standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of each municipal quintile compared with all of Japan was calculated for all-cause mortality and representative cause of deaths. As a result, although SMR for all-cause mortality for women tended to be lower in low SES quintiles in 1999, the reverse phenomenon was observed in 2019. Additionally, although SMR for all-cause of mortality for men was the lowest in the highest SES quintiles already in 1999, the difference in the SMR for all-cause mortality rates between the lowest and highest SES quintiles increased in 2019. The improvement of the SMR in the highest SES quintile and the deterioration in the lowest was also observed in representative types of cancer, heart disease, stroke, pneumonia, liver disease, and renal failure for men and women. Therefore, this study indicates a disparity in mortality depending on municipal SES enlarged in the last 20 years.

Does substance use explain social differences in terms of depression? Findings from the Constances cohort

BACKGROUND

The role of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis use in social differences in terms of depression is poorly understood.

METHOD

We have applied mediation and moderated-mediation models stratified by gender to a population-based sample (N = 37,192) of French men and women from the Constances cohort with baseline and follow-up measures of depressive states. We have examined whether socioeconomic status (SES, measured by education and income) differences in the prevalence of depressive states may be explained by both differences in prevalence of substance use according to SES (mediating effects) and differential effects of substance use on depressive state according to SES (moderating effects).

RESULTS

In the mediation models, substance use only explained 5.3% and 2.4% of the association between low education and depressive state in men and women respectively, and was not a significant mediator for income. Moderated mediation models showed robust moderation effects of education and income in both men and women. The association of tobacco use with depressive symptoms, which was the only substance for which a mediation effect remained and for which the moderation effect of SES was the strongest, was significantly higher in participants with low SES.

LIMITATIONS

The partially cross-sectional nature of the data restricts the possibility of drawing causality with regards to associations between SES and substance use.

CONCLUSION

Targeting substance use, particularly tobacco, can especially reduce depression risk in individuals of low SES.

Alcohol consumption and cognitive function in elderly Japanese men

Although heavy alcohol consumption has been identified as a risk factor for adverse cognitive functioning, it currently remains unclear whether moderate alcohol consumption exerts similar effects. Observational studies previously reported the potential benefits of moderate alcohol consumption on cognition, particularly in the elderly; however, these effects have not yet been demonstrated in Asian populations. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between alcohol consumption levels and global and domain-specific cognitive functions in cognitively intact elderly Japanese men. Cross-sectional data from the Shiga Epidemiological Study of Subclinical Atherosclerosis (SESSA), an ongoing prospective, population-based study in Shiga, Japan, were used to examine the relationship between alcohol consumption and cognitive function. Men (n = 585) aged ≥65 years provided information on their weekly consumption of alcohol, and the data obtained were used to construct categories of never, ex- (quit before interview), very light (<14 g/day), light (14-23 g/day), moderate (>23-46 g/day), and heavy (>46 g/day) drinkers. Cognitive function was measured using the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI). A fractional logistic regression model adjusted for age, education, body mass index, smoking, exercise, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia showed that the CASI scores for global and domain-specific cognitive functions were not significantly different between all subgroups of current drinkers and never-drinkers. However, the CASI score of ex-drinkers (multivariable adjusted mean CASI score [SD]) was significantly lower than that of never-drinkers in the global [never vs. ex: 90.16 (2.21) vs. 88.26 (2.58)] and abstraction and judgment domain [never vs. ex: 9.48 (0.46) vs. 8.61 (0.57)]). The present results do not suggest any beneficial or adverse relationship between current alcohol consumption levels and cognitive functioning (both global and domain specific) in elderly Japanese men; however, low cognitive function among ex-drinkers warrants future investigations to identify the factors causing drinkers to quit.

The Influences of Impulsivity and Education Levels on Severity of Alcohol Dependence

BACKGROUND

Impulsivity contributes to the severity of alcohol use disorder. The association is affected by expectation towards alcohol use, emotional regulation and self-control. Here we investigated the influences of self-reported impulsivity and levels of education on severity of alcohol dependence.

METHOD

We retrospectively analyzed the basic demographic information, alcohol consumption state, education years, depression and anxiety state, Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) and Barrett Impulsivity Scales (BIS) from a group of 66 AUD patients.

RESULT

Impulsivity significantly predicted alcohol dependence severity (R ² = 0.069, F = 4.724, p = 0.034). In addition, education years served as a moderator in the relationship between impulsivity and alcohol dependence severity (ΔR² = 0.059, F = 4.414, p = 0.040).

CONCLUSION

Self-reported impulsivity affects the severity of alcohol dependence, which might be different in patients with different education levels.