The DOI matches its Crossref record; 31 of the 32 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Drinking pattern is more strongly associated with under-reporting of alcohol consumption than socio-demographic factors: evidence from a mixed-methods study
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: Under-reporting of alcohol consumption is widespread; surveys typically capture 40-60% of alcohol sales. However the population distribution of under-reporting is not well understood. METHODS: Mixed-methods study to identify factors associated with under-reporting, using the nationally-representative Health Survey for England (HSE) 2011 (overall response rate 66%). Comparison of retrospective computer-assisted personal interview and seven-day drinking diary (n = 3,774 adults 18+, 50% women, diary response rate 69%) to identify factors associated with diary responses exceeding those of the interview using multivariable linear regression for three outcomes: drinking days in the week recorded, volume consumed on heaviest drinking day in the week recorded, and weekly alcohol consumption. Qualitative semi-structured interviews (n = 10) explored reasons for under-reporting in further detail. RESULTS: Number of drinking days was slightly greater in the diary than the interview (P < 0.001). Reported consumption was higher in the diary than in the interview for heaviest drinking day in the week recorded (0.7 units greater among men, 1.2 units among women, P < 0.001), and weekly alcohol consumption in women only (1.1 units among women, P = 0.003). Participants who drank more frequently, more heavily, and had a more varied drinking pattern with respect to the types of drink consumed or choice of drinking venues had a larger difference between their diary week and their interview week.The qualitative interviews identified having a non-routine drinking pattern, self-perception as a non-frequent drinker, and usually tracking drinking using experiential approaches as linked to more drinking being reported in the diary than the retrospective interview. CONCLUSIONS: Heavy drinking and non-routine drinking patterns may be associated with greater under-reporting of alcohol consumption. Estimates of drinking above recommended levels are likely to be disproportionately under-estimated.
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Metadata
- Authors
- Boniface, S., Kneale, J., & Shelton, N.
- Affiliations
- University College London (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Boniface, Sadie
- Venue
- BMC Public Health
- Published
- 2014-12
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 1297-1297
- ISSN
- 1471-2458 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC4320509
- OpenAlex
- W1804495225
- Cited by
- 171
- References
- 32
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 30 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 5
- FWCI
- 6.80
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- BMC Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
- Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Survey Methodology and Nonresponse
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Alcohol Consumption and Health Effects
- Keywords
- drinking patterns, heavy drinking, retrospective self-report, weekly alcohol consumption, drinking venues
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Alcohol Drinking, Cross-Sectional Studies, England, Female, Health Surveys, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Retrospective Studies, Self Concept, Socioeconomic Factors
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