[Background factors contributing to over-consumption of alcohol and risk of lifestyle related diseases among middle-aged women on an isolated island].

Objectives　This study aimed to identify social factors that contribute to harmful alcohol use, defined as consuming more than 20 g of ethanol per day and raising the risk of lifestyle-related diseases, among women living on an isolated island, which has a culture that tolerates heavy drinking.Methods　The participants were residents of Yoron Island, Kagoshima prefecture, aged 20-64 years (393 women and 419 men). A survey that included general questions about health was conducted as part of the Health Yoron 21 (second term) survey in July 2016. The outcome was presence or absence of harmful alcohol use, and the predictors were social factors. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between harmful alcohol use and social factors. Age, presence or absence of child, and the length of time living on the island were also entered into the model as control variables.Results　Analysis of data from 309 women showed that 46 women (14.8%) engaged in harmful alcohol use, and five significant factors were identified: restaurant and tourist industry workers (OR 6.73, 95%CI 1.13-39.98); smoking (OR 4.47, 95%CI 1.36-14.63); participation in recreational activities (OR 4.47, 95%CI 1.93-10.39); depressed within the past 2 weeks (OR 2.47, 95%CI 1.08-5.68); and drinking at home (OR 16.52, 95%CI 6.77-40.29).Conclusion　This study identified negative aspects of social interactions in women engaged in harmful alcohol use. Additionally, depression within the previous 2 weeks was associated with harmful alcohol use. Given the island culture, drinking is expected to contribute to forming and maintaining better human relationships. However, drinking should be moderated in the interest of health. The results of this study will be used for Health Yoron 21 (second term).