The Shetland Islands: Drinking Patterns in the Community

Summary General population drinking patterns in the Shetland Islands and their demographic correlates are described. A total of 533 individuals comprising a stratified random sample of the Island's population were interviewed, yielding a response rate of 78 per cent; 35 questionnaires were rejected as incomplete having 498 questionnaires to be utilized in this analysis. Weekly per capita consumption among male drinkers is 17 drinks, and among female drinkers is 2.5 drinks. Approximately 14 per cent of the women and 3 per cent of the men are abstainers. The predominant drinking pattern among women is occasional drinking (50%), and among men moderate drinking (40%). Also 33 per cent of the men are heavy drinkers. The associations between drinking patterns and social and demographic variables do not follow a pattern; the direction of the associations may change according to sex. Of all the demographic variables sex is the best predictor of drinking behaviour, accounting for 42 per cent of the variance explained out of a total of 49 per cent. The relationship of the findings to previous research done in Scotland and England and their implications for prevention are discussed.