Alcohol use in the Aboriginal Canadian population

Alcohol use in the Aboriginal Canadian population

by Kabir Singh Sandhu -
Number of replies: 5

Topic: Alcohol use in the Aboriginal Canadian population.

Title: “To investigate ethnic differences in alcohol consumption among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadian university students.”

The entrenching acculturation of the indigenous Canadian population is known to be a major cause of the long standing and deeply routed physical and psychological health issues experienced by the Aboriginal population, as compared to their Caucasian counterparts.  Studies show that alcoholism is greatly increased in this population, particularly starting during the adolescent years.1

A study by Cheah et al researched “The role of acculturation in the emerging adulthood of aboriginal college students” in Canada.  The purpose of the study was to look at how acculturation impacted upon early adulthood across the following criteria: (a) perceived adult status, (b) perceived criteria for adulthood, (c) achieved criteria for adulthood, (d) personal beliefs about the future, and (e) risk behaviours.2 

I will be exploring this idea of acculturation in the Aboriginal youth further using a questionnaire targeted at Canadian university students from all backgrounds.  It will take the form of an online, anonymous questionnaire and an information page explaining the purpose of the study will also be provided.

Questions for the survey include:

  1. How many units do you drink weekly, if at all?
  2. Where does your alcohol come from?
  3. How much do you pay, on average, for a week’s supply of alcohol?
  4. Where do you mostly drink?
  5. Who do you drink with? Or do you drink alone?
  6. Why do you drink alcohol?
  7. Have you ever felt you need to cut down on your drinking?
  8. Have people ever annoyed you by criticising your drinking?
  9. Do you ever feel guilty about your drinking?
  10. Do you ever use alcohol as an eye opener?

The main reason for choosing this topic is because clear disparities exist in health outcomes between Aboriginal and immigrant Canadians.  By exploring further the causes behind the increased level of alcohol consumption in the Aboriginal population, I will look to ultimately focus on treatment and prevention strategies.  The overall aim of this study is to provide solutions to tackle the growing rise of alcoholism in the native population.

1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22152642

2 http://jbd.sagepub.com/content/28/6/495.abstract

In reply to Kabir Singh Sandhu

Re: Alcohol use in the Aboriginal Canadian population

by Deleted user -

kabir, these are really great questions and i would be really interested to hear the responses. i think an anonymous survey is a good idea, not only considering the topic (studies have shown that people only admit to half of the amount they drink), but also because this group of students may be intimidated by researchers from another culture. two suggestions. 1. define "units" because it may be defined slightly differently in North America and 2. has the "CAGE" questionnaire (last 4 questions) been validated for use in this population. i can't quite remember its origin. thanks and great study. david

In reply to Deleted user

Re: Alcohol use in the Aboriginal Canadian population

by Moira Kelly -

I agree, an interesting study.  Kabir, can you think of any open questions which you might want to add which could help you explore things from the students' perspectives?  The way they reply, even the language they use might help illuminate cultural similarities and differences and add to your survey findings. 

In reply to Kabir Singh Sandhu

Re: Alcohol use in the Aboriginal Canadian population

by Deleted user -

Hi Kabir, I find this study very interesting as well. The idea of alcoholism all around the world is interesting to me and I was unaware that there was an increase in alcoholism in the Aboriginal Canada population. I think that this study would be useful in trying to prevent underage drinking. I think it would be important to consider the damage that might occur with the consumption of alcohol, especially during adolescence. For instance, studies have shown that consuming alcohol at this age has led to an increased risk of mild cognitive impairment (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2003). Other risks include making the individual more suceptible to becoming an alcoholic by drinking in their adolescent years. You're approach seems logical and concise. Thank you for enlightening me.

In reply to Deleted user

Re: Alcohol use in the Aboriginal Canadian population

by Kabir Singh Sandhu -

Thank you for taking interest in my study and thank you for suggestions :)

I searched for the standardised unit guidelines in Canada from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health:

A standard drink is 13.6g alcohol. Examples of standard drinks are: 5 oz/142 mL of wine (12% alcohol), 1.5 oz/43 mL of spirits (40% alcohol), 12 oz/341 mL of regular strength beer (5% alcohol).

2/day; 14/week (@13.6g = 27.2g/day, 190g/week).

The same website does not make any distinction as to which questionnaire to use, but does suggest the TWEAK questionnaire is the one used more frequently and maybe more sensitive in the populations studied (from your experience, is this the case David?):

Have you an increased tolerance of alcohol? (2 points)

Do you worry about your drinking? (2 points)

Have you ever had alcohol as an eye-opener in the morning? (1 points)

Do you ever get amnesia after drinking alcohol? (1 point)

Have you ever felt the need to cut down on your drinking? (1 point)

2 or greater suggests an alcohol problem.

The main open questions I would use would be to elucidate how the students enjoy university:

What’s the best/worst thing about university for you?

How do you socialise?

Who do you socialise with?

In reply to Kabir Singh Sandhu

Re: Alcohol use in the Aboriginal Canadian population

by Deleted user -

Hummm...interesting study, I think that one of the reasons that leading to alcoholism among aboriginal people is frustation because they have experienced discrimination, they are disrespected and so on. So, I think that you can ask "why do they drink alcohol", "how do they feel after" "whether or not interfere with day-to-day life"