The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #41720

Hsiao-ye Yi, PhD¹, Susan Martin, PhD², Chiung M. Chen, MA¹, and J. Quinn Schroeder, MS¹. (1) Alcohol Epidemiologic Data System, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, 2107 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1000, Arlington, VA 22201, 703-312-5220, hyi@csrincorporated.com, (2) Prevention Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, 6001 Executive Blvd. Room 4247, Rockville, MD 20892-9589

This study examines the relationship between drinking patterns and the risk behavior of driving after drinking. Taking advantage of data from the 1999 National Survey of Drinking and Driving Attitudes and Behavior which included a set of the graduated drinking frequency questions, we adopted the drinking pattern measures developed by Gruenewald and colleagues based on a stochastic drinking theory. Three drinking pattern measures were constructed for each of the 2,574 respondents who reported being drivers and drinkers: drinking frequency, average number of drinks per occasion, and drinking variation across occasions. These variables were then used in zero-inflated negative binomial regression models to predict the likelihood of driving after drinking and the frequency of this risk behavior. Other sociodemographic characteristics were also included in the models as control variables. Preliminary results show that, with sociodemographic variables held constant, both drinking frequency and the average number of drinks per occasion were positively associated with the risk of driving after drinking and the frequency of this risky behavior. Adjusting for these two drinking pattern variables, variation in alcohol consumption across drinking occasions did not show a significant relationship with driving after drinking, since it was strongly correlated with the average number of drinks per occasion. As expected, males had a much higher risk of driving after drinking. The risk also increased with age. Among the racial/ethnic groups, Hispanics had a significantly higher risk than non-Hispanic whites. Given limited resources, prevention efforts may benefit from these findings in identifying and targeting high risk groups.

Learning Objectives:

• This paper examines how drinking patterns and other sociodemographic characteristics (age, sex race/ethnicity, education, family income, and marital status) affect the risk behavior of driving after drinking. The findings will provide valuable information for targeting high risk groups in prevention efforts.

Keywords: Alcohol, Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.