Women and alcohol--trends in Australia

Analysis of significant trends in self-reported alcohol consumption by women is presented, using data from surveys carried out by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in three Australian States: Western Australia, South Australia and New South Wales. Three indices of alcohol consumption were used to characterize consumption in 1977 and subsequently in 1983 or 1985. Little change was observed in the proportion of women who consumed alcohol in the previous week, although significant increases were recorded in the average daily consumption of female drinkers in all three States. These overall increases reflect increased levels of consumption by younger women. Women aged 18-24 years in all three States, as well as those aged 25-44 years in South Australia, consumed more alcohol in the later survey than did women of the same ages in 1977. The proportion of younger female drinkers whose average daily consumption reached hazardous levels showed marked increases in all three States. Analysis of beverage choices in Western Australia and South Australia indicated that older women in both States were consuming significantly less beer, and that South Australian women aged 25-64 years were consuming less fortified wine than were women of the same ages in 1977. These decreases were overshadowed by significant increases in wine consumption in both States for all age groups, and by increasing spirits' consumption in the 18-24 year olds. Several sources of underestimation of consumption are cited. Observed trends are discussed in the light of changing social values, alcohol marketing strategies and the employment status of women. Likely short- and long-term consequences of the observed consumption patterns are predicted and the challenge to prevention strategies is highlighted.