Prevalence and characteristics of hazardous drinkers: results of the Greater Milwaukee Survey.

CONTEXT At-risk drinking is of particular concern in Wisconsin. OBJECTIVE This study investigated the prevalence and demographic characteristics of hazardous drinkers in the Milwaukee area. DESIGN The study design was a cross-sectional survey. Data were collected by means of telephone interviews as part of the 2005 Greater Milwaukee Survey. PARTICIPANTS From 2614 households randomly selected for study participation, 937 adult residents participated in the survey. STUDY MEASURE: The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) measure was used to classify residents into 1 of 2 drinking groups: non-hazardous or hazardous drinkers. RESULTS Based on a response rate of 35.8%, approximately 25% of Milwaukee area residents were estimated to be hazardous drinkers. Significant associations were found between several demographic characteristics and the drinking group variable. In addition, logistic regression results revealed that younger adults, in particular 18-29 year olds, men, non-minorities, individuals with no underage children in the household, and Milwaukee County residents were most at-risk for hazardous drinking. CONCLUSIONS Local health care professionals should consider implementing alcohol screening and brief intervention, especially among at-risk individuals. Targeted state-level intervention resources also are needed, in particular, resources that serve young adults 18-29 years old.