OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to measure the prevalence, patterns of and risk factors for alcohol use in a multi-ethnic black population.
METHODS: A structured telephone interview was conducted to assess alcohol use, smoking status, cancer-related attitudes and beliefs, and demographics among 18-74 year old Haitian-born (N=165), Caribbean-born (N=354) and U.S.-born (N=402) blacks living in New York City (NYC) in 1992. Alcohol consumption in the overall sample and for each ethnic group was analyzed in relation to other risk factors (e.g. demographics, tobacco use, etc.)
RESULTS: The majority of the sample (55%) reported having ever used alcohol. Haitian-born participants (19%) were less likely to have ever used alcohol compared to U.S.-born (52%) or Caribbean-born (52%) participants. Overall, more men than women drank (57% vs. 37%) and the people who used alcohol tended to be younger, single, blue collar workers and to have more than 12 years of education. Compared to non-drinkers, drinkers were more likely to be current smokers (19% vs. 9%), reported "good" physical health (31% vs. 22%) and knew that cancer was related to what you eat or drink (65% vs. 58%). Smoking status was also consistently related to alcohol use across ethnic and gender groups.
CONCLUSION: The rate of alcohol use among Haitian-born blacks was considerably lower than among U.S. and Caribbean-born blacks. In this multi-ethnic black population, women were less likely than men to "ever" use alcohol and smoking was an important predictor of alcohol use.
Learning Objectives: Describe patterns of alcohol use in a multi-ethnic black population
Keywords: Alcohol Use, Ethnic Minorities
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.