Researchers
- Ms Mandy Williams, Sydney South West Area Health Service
- Dr Mohammed Mohsin, Sydney South West Area Health Service
- Ms Danielle Weber, Sydney South West Area Health Service
- Dr Bin Jalaludin, Sydney South West Area Health Service
- Dr John Crozier, Sydney South West Area Health Service.
Summary
This project examines the association between alcohol consumption and injury, within a low socio-economic community with a high proportion of non-English speaking residents. The study was undertaken in the emergency departments of six hospitals in the south western suburbs of Sydney and used a case-crossover design.
The main social and cultural factors associated with higher alcohol consumption include unemployment, low socio-economic status (SES), low educational attainment, and country of birth. Sydney South West Area Health Service (SSWAHS) has a lower SES than other New South Wales metropolitan health services and a greater proportion of people speaking a language other than English at home.
Outcomes
The results of this study show that alcohol intake increased the risk of injury from falls, violence, and motor vehicle collisions. Injury severity was greatest at low levels of alcohol intake (90g).
The risk of sustaining an injury was 1.42 times greater among those who had consumed alcohol than among those who had not.
At high levels of alcohol intake (>90g) the risk of injury was doubled (and similar at these levels for both males and females).
Drinking at a licensed premise such as a hotel, tavern, night club, or sports club increased the risk of injury by over 50% when compared to those who did not drink.
References
Williams, M, Mohsin, M, Weber, D, Jalaludin, B, Crozier, J 2009. The prevalence of alcohol-related injuries amongst patients presenting with injuries to emergency departments in South Western Sydney. Sydney: Sydney South West Area Health Service.
