[Alcohol consumption in some manufacturing activities of Venice: a public health problem]

A total of 1246 workers were interviewed employed in the industrial and urban area of Venice: 91.3% consumed alcoholic beverages, 17.4% of whom exceeded 1 litre of wine per day. Only 15% of the interviewees thought that an acceptable alcohol consumption level should not exceed 1 litre, whereas more than 18% thought that 2 or more litres of wine per day was not harmful. A certain tendency to incorrect knowledge of alcohol and its effects on health was observed. A high consumption of alcoholic beverages was confirmed, mainly depending on the type of work group, a subjective assessment of individual consumption, consumption at work, level of education, duration of consumption, specific information about alcohol. In particular, jobs such as porterage, foundry work, boat piloting, urban refuse collection, road and machine maintenance were associated with alcohol abuse mainly due to the level of education and drinking for pleasure. The paper discusses the role of social dynamics in boosting drinking behaviour and a possible health education policy. The role of occupational health services in community care programmes involving managerial and technical staff is stressed.