Citation

Takimura T, Matsushita S, Nakayama H, Maesato H, Sakuma H, Yoshimura A, Toyama T, Higuchi S. Alcohol Alcohol. 2014; 49(Suppl 1): i55.

Affiliation

National Hospital Organization Kurihama Medical and Addiction Center, Japan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/alcalc/agu054.10

PMID

25221240

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: In Japan, volunteer fire departments (VFDs), which are fire departments composed of volunteers who fight fires and provide other related emergency services for a local jurisdiction, have been organized, especially in rural areas. During the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, VFDs in disaster areas engaged in various activities to aid disaster victims. The aim of this study was to elucidate changes of alcohol use among VFD members.

METHOD: We sent self-administered questionnaires to 1044 VFD members. The questionnaire included Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test [AUDIT] and questions regarding changes in each member's drinking habits after the earthquake.

RESULT: Overall, 683 (65.4%) members responded to our survey. The percentage of VFD members who scored ten or above on the AUDIT was higher among members with experiences losing families and/or friends (33.7%) compared with those without such experiences (22.5%) (P < 0.0049) CONCLUSION: The survey suggest that experiences of human loss influence dinking behavior. In addition to this first survey, we will present the result of the second survey which was conducted in 2013.

Language: en