Health Survey Northern Ireland 2017/18 (Department of Health Northern Ireland)

20 November 2018

The fieldwork for HSNI was conducted from April 2017 to March 2018. Data were collected from those aged 16 and over in private households in NI, unless otherwise stated. A random sample of 5,850 addresses across NI was selected for interviewing. The final achieved sample was 3,355 individuals, with a response rate of 52% achieved. 

Alcohol consumption (respondents aged 18+)

• 77% of adults aged 18+ reported to be current drinkers (81% males; 75% females). Overall self-reported rates of current alcohol consumption have decreased by 3% since 2016/17.
• Alcohol consumption was most prevalent amongst the 25-34 year old aged group (85%), followed closed by those in the 18-24 and 35-44 age groups (84%), 45-54 age group (82%). Those aged 75+ age were least likely to drink (51%). Among all males, alcohol consumption was most prevalent in the 18-24 (88%) and 25-34 age groups (87%); among females, those aged 25-44 (84%) had the highest prevalence of alcohol consumption.
• Adults in the least deprived quintile were more likely to drink alcohol (84%) compared to those in the most deprived quintile (71%).
• Adult rates of drinking were highest in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (80%) and lowest in the Western Health and Social Care Trust (74%).
• Of the 77% of adults aged 18+ who reported drinking alcohol, 18% reported drinking above weekly limits (31% for men and 9% for women). Drinking above weekly limits was more common among the 18-24 age group (26%) and also for men (38%) and women (16%) in this age category. Drinking above weekly limits was slightly higher in the least deprived quintile (20%) compared to the most deprived quintile (18%).

Read more: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/health-survey-ni-201718