Correlates of Harmful Alcohol Consumption in Six Countries: Development of an International Screening and Assessment Procedure.

The aim of this study was to develop tools for screening and assessment of socio-medical effects of alcohol use which are simple and inexpensive enough to be used in any primary health care setting. A test protocol was prepared by a group of investigators from Australia, Bulgaria, Kenya, Mexico, Norway, and the United States. Based on a number of assessment procedures for negative consequences of alcohol use and current knowledge, information was collected from subjects in the following eight areas: (1) demographic data; (2) subjective complaints associated with excessive alcohol use; (3) clinical examination with emphasis on excessive alcohol use; (4) level of consumption of alcohol and prescribed drugs; (5) alcohol dependence syndrome; (6) social consequences of drinking; (7) biochemical tests; and (8) patient self-evaluation. At hospitals, emergency units, and primary care facilities, health workers interviewed at least 180 male and female patients between the ages of 18 and 55 who were regular drinkers. A relatively large proportion of patients were infrequent drinkers. Variations among groups were considerable and dispersion within groups was large. A few carefully chosen items were shown to predict heavy consumption. The optimal screening instrument is not yet finished. However, this study suggests that simple questions and procedures pointing to potential harmful alcohol use can easily be included in medical routines. (Seven tables and nine graphs depicting test results are included. Fourteen references conclude the document.) (ABL)