Heavy-Drinking - Health Quality Ontario (HQO)

Percentage of people aged 12 and older who were heavy drinkers

This indicator measures the percentage of people aged 12 and older who were heavy drinkers. A lower percentage is better.

Active

Public reporting

Patient-centred

Outcome

Percentage

Numerator divided by denominator times 100

The weighted number of respondents who were heavy drinkers. For males, heavy drinking refers to having consumed five or more drinks, per occasion, at least once a month during the past year. For females, heavy drinking refers to having consumed four or more drinks, per occasion, at least once a month during the past year.

Inclusions:

If variable ALC_020 equals 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Question Text: How often in the past 12 months have you had [5/4] or more drinks on one occasion?

Codes for ALC_020 variable:

1 = Never

2 = Less than once a month

3 = Once a month

4 = 2 to 3 times a month

5 = Once a week

6 = More than once a week

8 = Refusal

9 = Don't know

Based on the Canadian Community Heath Survey (CCHS) survey, a 'drink' refers to:

- a bottle or small can of beer, cider or cooler with 5% alcohol content, or a small draft;

- a glass of wine with 12% alcohol content;

- a glass or cocktail containing 1 oz. of a spirit with 40% alcohol content.

The weighted number of respondents aged 12 or older that responded to the two survey questions. If respondents answered ALC_010 as not having had an alcoholic drink in the last year, then they were not asked ALC_020, and were marked as a “valid skip” for ALC_020. The denominator includes the ‘valid skip’ for ALC_20.

Inclusions: 
If variable ALC_010 equals 1 and 2. 
Question Text: During the past 12 months, that is, from [CURRENTDATE-1] to yesterday, have you had a drink of beer, wine, liquor or any other alcoholic beverage?

Codes for ALC_010 variable:
1 = Yes
2 = No
8 = Refusal
9 = Don’t know

Exclusions:

Don’t know, not stated and refusal are not included in the analysis.

Direct age-adjusted using 2011 Canada population

Canadian Community Heath Survey (CCHS)

Statistics Canada

Age, Education, Immigration, Income, Province, Region, Rurality, Sex, Time

Because of the significant changes to the survey methodology, Statistics Canada does not recommend making comparisons of the redesigned 2015 cycle of the CCHS with past cycles. As this indicator relies on self-reported data, the true rate might in fact be higher or lower. In addition, the survey coverage excludes: persons living on reserves and other Aboriginal settlements in the provinces; full-time members of the Canadian Forces; the institutionalized population, children aged 12-17 that are living in foster care, and persons living in the Quebec health regions of Région du Nunavik and Région des Terres-Cries-de-la-Baie-James. Altogether, these exclusions represent less than 3% of the Canadian population aged 12 and over.

Other

Outcome

Population Health

Patient-centred

Canadian Community Heath Survey (CCHS)

20/11/2018 12:20:00