Alcohol drinking patterns among members of the self-defence fire brigade in Yokohama City
Mori, T.; Kita, Y.; Tsunemachi, Y.; Aoyama, K.
Arukoru Kenkyu to Yakubutsu Izon 19(2): 118-123
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0389-4118 PMID: 6537774 Document Number: 237305
Alcohol drinking patterns among 142 staff members of the fire brigade in Yokohama City were surveyed using the questionnaire on alcoholic drinking when their periodic physical exam was conducted in 1981. The average age of the members surveyed was 44.2 yr old, 62.0% of them were 40 yr and older. Differences of drinking patterns were observed in connection with age groups 88.0% of the members were drinkers while there were a very few among the members 60 yr old and older. Many daily drinkers were found in their 40s and 50s, and many abstainers and nondrinkers were 60 yr and older. As for drinking quantities of alcoholic drinks converted into Japanese Sake, 209.3 ml of one was consumed per day and 454.5 ml of one was drunk at a dinner party. The greater the drinking frequency, the greater the drinking quantity at home and a party. The average age of drinking onset was 21.8 yr old and 30.5% of them started drinking before 20 yr old. Many drinkers drank beer but a few drank Japanese Sake. There was no observed relationship between drinking frequency and main drinking place. Drinking was evaluated to be useful as medicine, necessary in smoothing human relationships, and important in ceremonies and traditional events. A few occasional drinkers in their 30s regarded drinking to be useful as medicine. Factory proprietors and service and sales workers did not regard alcoholic drinks as usless.