Abstracts of theses and treatises
Chalmers E (1992) Alcohol in the Northern Territory: a follow up study of morbidity and mortality amongst hospital patients. Unpublished Master of Public Health thesis, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales.
A retrospective follow up study of an Aboriginal cohort (n=85) and a non Aboriginal cohort (n=99) who were hospitalised with alcohol related problems was conducted over a 10-12 year period.
Mortality ratios were calculated for each cohort by sex, age group and length of follow-up. There was an excess mortality of 5.3 for the study group - a higher rate than documented in the literature - although the rate of 3.4 for non Aboriginal males is consistent with that reported for alcoholic males.
Aboriginal excess mortality was 8.7 times the expected mortality while that for women was 14.8 times higher than expected. The study was limited by small numbers but against a background of very high alcohol consumption indicates a severe impact on the Northern Territory community.
Other findings of concern were under reporting of alcohol related hospital admissions and disturbingly high levels of incorrect coding for hospital separations.
The fact that high levels of mortality amongst a group of people with alcohol related problems in hospital occurred over a time of expansion of alcohol treatment services is discussed. The continuing need for prospective outcome studies for persons with alcohol problems especially Aboriginal people and women is reiterated.
For further information on this subject look in the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet Bibliography or return to the theses page.
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