[Risky alcohol consumption among working Canadians: variations among different occupations and economic sectors].

OBJECTIVE

Examine the differences in weekly high-risk alcohol consumption among working people by economic sector and occupation.

METHOD

Secondary analysis of data from Cycle 2.1 of the Canadian Community Health Survey conducted by Statistics Canada. The sample comprised 76,136 subjects 15 years of age and older in 139 occupations and 96 economic sectors.

RESULTS

The prevalence of weekly high-risk alcohol consumption is estimated to be 8% among workers. Major disparities exist between men (11%) and women (6%). The results suggest a differential in weekly high-risk alcohol consumption by occupation and economic sector that is independent of working conditions, family status, and personal characteristics. Workers in five occupational groups have a greater likelihood of at-risk consumption (OR 1.88-2.94), whereas seven economic sectors stand out as having a lower risk (OR 0.25-0.59).

DISCUSSION

Occupation appears to be of greater utility than economic sector for defining courses of action in public health. These research results make it possible to identify a set of occupations to target for preventive interventions in conjunction with other public health interventions.