The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #57043

Kim A. Bloomfield, DrPH¹, Ulrike Grittner², and Stephanie Kramer, Dipl Pol². (1) Department of Health Promotion Research, University of Southern Denmark, Niels Bohrs Vej 9-10, Esbjerg, 6700, Denmark, +45-6550-4111, kbl@health.sdu.dk, (2) Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry & Epidemiology, Free University Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, Berlin, 12200, Germany

More than a decade has passed since the former German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany were reunited. Reunification has prompted social change in many areas of life. The extent of such change is the subject of much research. One area of inquiry is that of changes in drinking habits. Earlier research revealed more current drinking and daily drinking in Eastern Germany than in Western. Greater regional differences were found among men than among women. But gender differences within regions appeared to be greater for Eastern German men and women than for Western German men and women. This paper investigates whether gender differences within regions, and regional differences within genders with regard to drinking patterns (frequency of consumption, beverage preference) have changed from 1991 to 1998, and if so, what social factors are associated with such change. Data come from two nationally representative health surveys, one conducted in 1991/1992 and the other in 1998. The earlier sample comprises two separate surveys, a 1991 West German survey (N= 5,255) and a 1992 Eastern German survey (N=2,211), that were merged. The merged sample represents the general non-institutionalised population aged 25-69. Response rates were 68% for Western Germany and 70% for Eastern Germany. Another national health survey was conducted in 1998 with a general population sample of 7,124 persons aged 18-79 years representing a response rate of 61%. This data set has been restricted to ages 25-69 years for the present analysis. Data from all surveys were collected via self-administered questionnaire.

Learning Objectives:

(
• At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to describe the major developments in rates of alcohol consumption in Eastern and Western Germany since reunification. (
• At the end of the session the participant will be able to identify gender differences in those trends. (
• At the end of the session the participant will be able to identify the major social determinants for these rates and differences in alcohol consumption within Reunited Germany.

Keywords: Gender, International

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.