Publication
Indicators for health education in Scotland; summary of findings from the 1996 Health Education Population Survey (HEPS)
Alcohol
Alcohol misuse contributes to high blood pressure and a number of otherhealth problems, including cirrhosis of the liver and cancer of the mouth,pharynx, larynx, oesophagus and liver. Excessive or inappropriate use alsoincreases the risk of accidents and crime, and is associated with a variety ofsocial problems. However, there is also some evidence of health benefits formoderate alcohol consumption for men over 40 and post-menopausal women. Thereport Sensible Drinking (DoH, 1995) presents new daily benchmarks foralcohol consumption based on a revised approach which is designed to preventthe health and social problems related to short term episodes of heavydrinking.
For the purposes of the survey, respondents were classified as‘drinkers’ if they had consumed any alcohol during the past year.
Knowledge indicator: The proportion of people aged 16-74 who correctlyidentify the number of units of alcohol in a pint of normal strength beer. |
Respondents who had heard of measuring alcohol in units were asked how manyunits were in a pint of beer, the correct answer being two units. Theproportions giving each response are shown in Figure 15. Sixteen percent ofrespondents had not heard of measuring alcohol in units.
Figure 15: Number of units of alcohol thought to be in a pint of beer
| Number of units |
% |
| Less than one |
1 |
| One unit |
11 |
| More than one, less than two |
2 |
| Two units |
37 |
| More than two, less than three |
1 |
| Three units |
5 |
| More than three |
11 |
| Don’t know |
32 |
Knowledge indicator: The proportion of people aged 16-74 who
|
While most respondents believed that the limits had increased (51%), only 1%mentioned that the new limits were for daily consumption. Again, a relativelylarge proportion (38%) said that they did not know what the change hadbeen. Only 10% of respondents could correctly identify the weekly equivalent ofthe new maximum sensible limit for men (28 units), and 12% were able toidentify the old weekly limit of 21 units.
Motivation indicator: The proportion of drinkers aged 16-74 who want orintend to cut down on their drinking. |
The proportions of drinkers who said they want or intend to cut down were 6%and 4% respectively.
Motivation indicator: The proportion of people aged 16-74 who have, or wantto, cut down on their drinking who cite motivational barriers to cutting downon drinking. |
The main motivational barrier reported was finding it difficult to cut downor stop when friends were drinking (52%).
Skills indicator: The proportion of people aged 16-74 who want to know moreabout how to cut down on drinking. |
Only 4% expressed a desire to know more about how to cut down on drinking.
Behaviour indicator: The proportion of drinkers aged 16-74 who have cut downon their drinking. |
Sixteen percent of drinkers said they had reduced the amount of alcohol theydrank in the past year.