Use of alcohol and drugs by Norwegian employees: a pilot study using questionnaires and analysis of oral fluid
نویسندگان
چکیده
BACKGROUND The use of alcohol and drugs may affect workplace safety and productivity. Little is known about the magnitude of this problem in Norway. METHODS Employee recruitment methods with or without individual follow-up were compared. The employees filled in a questionnaire and provided a sample of oral fluid. Samples were analysed for alcohol, ethyl glucuronide (EtG; a biological marker of recent large alcohol intake), psychoactive medicinal drugs and illegal drugs. RESULTS Participation rates with and without individual follow-up were 96% and 68%, respectively. Alcohol was negative (2.2 ng/ml) in 2.1% of the samples. In-efficiency or hangover at work during the past year was reported by 24.3%, while 6.2% had been absent from work due to the use of alcohol. The combination of self-report and analytical testing indicated that medicinal or illegal drugs had been used during the last 48 h by 5.1% and 1.7% of the participants, respectively; while only 4.2% and 0.4% admitted the use in the questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS Self-reported data suggest that hangover after drinking alcohol appears to be the largest substance abuse problem at Norwegian workplaces, resulting in absence and inefficiency at work. Analysis of oral fluid revealed that the use of illegal drugs was more common than drinking alcohol before working or at the workplace. The analysis of oral fluid may be a valuable tool in obtaining additional information on alcohol and drug use compared to using questionnaires alone.
منابع مشابه
Use of alcohol and drugs by employees in selected business areas in Norway: a study using oral fluid testing and questionnaires.
BACKGROUND Alcohol or drug use and associated hangover may reduce workplace safety and productivity and also cause sickness absence. The aims of this study were to examine (i) the use of alcohol and drugs, and (ii) reduced efficiency at work and absence due to such use among employees. METHODS Forty-four companies were invited; half of them agreed to participate. Employees filled in a questio...
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