“Problem Drinkers” in Olofström

The purpose of the study was to estimate the prevalence and social characteristics of men and women with alcohol-related problems in a primary care district by registers and also the utility of the data in primary health care and the municipality. 4.5% of the men and 0.5% of the women in Olofström were known for an alcohol-related problem (in at least one of 22 registers during 1980) ("problem drinkers"). The prevalence rate was higher in the younger age groups and among men and women born in Finland. For the five-year period 1977-81 the prevalence rate was 7.3% for men and 0.9% for women. This suggests that a large proportion of all "problem drinkers" were known in registers. About 2/3 of the registered "problem drinkers" in 1980 were found in sources belonging to the health care sector, 2/3 in sources related to the social service and thus 1/3 to both the health care sector and the social service. More than 90% of the "problem drinkers" in 1980 were found in one of five register agencies. By collecting data from a few register sources a general practitioner in Sweden can in a short time get valuable information about alcohol problems in his catchment area.