Identifying women veterans with unhealthy alcohol use using gender-tailored screening

Am J Addict. 2018 Mar;27(2):97-100. doi: 10.1111/ajad.12689.

Abstract

Background and objectives: To assess the impact of gender-tailored alcohol screening criteria.

Methods: Among N = 1,349 women, we calculated the proportion screening positive for unhealthy alcohol use with non-tailored versus gender-tailored criteria (a gender-tailored binge-drinking item, lower screen-positive threshold, or both).

Results: Three percent more women screened positive with a modified binge-drinking question, most reporting risky drinking. Fifteen percent more women screened positive with a lower threshold; most did not report risky drinking.

Discussion and conclusions: Gender-tailored binge-drinking questions may improve detection of women's unhealthy alcohol use.

Scientific significance: These results can inform future efforts to improve alcohol screening for women. (Am J Addict 2018;27:97-100).

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Binge Drinking* / diagnosis
  • Binge Drinking* / epidemiology
  • Binge Drinking* / prevention & control
  • Binge Drinking* / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mass Screening / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Veterans / psychology*
  • Women's Health