[Nurses' knowledge of alcohol-related problems and their treatment: a comparison of nurses in general hospital and alcoholism treatment units].

Nurses have the most contact with patients in the clinical settings, and they play an important role in the guidance and education of patients. Nurses' basic knowledge of alcohol-related problems greatly influences early discovery of and early intervention against alcohol-related problems in general units (GU). In a study undertaken mainly to understand the status of nurses' knowledge in GU, a survey was performed to compare the knowledge and attitude of nurses working in GU and those with working in units specializing in the treatment of alcoholism (AU). For reference, we used the results of separate surveys performed previously on the general population. The results showed that, compared with nurses in AU, nurses in GU (1) were more tolerant of drinking, but (2) were more stigmatic concerning alcoholism, and (3) had little knowledge concerning alcohol-related problems. Nurses in GU tended to have less knowledge about alcohol-related problems than the general population. Moreover, the knowledge of nurses in AU could not be considered sufficient. This study suggested the need for basic education concerning alcohol-related problems and their treatment aimed at nurses.

[Epidemiological study on alcohol consumption and physical health in the Kitakyushu area with special reference to industrial structure].

Kitakyushu city is characterized by the following aspects, that is a large amount of alcohol consumption relative to other cities high death rate of liver cirrhosis and chronic liver diseases many recipients of the Daily Life Security a large population of aged people. This study was carried out to investigate the interrelation of industrial structure and drinking status of people living under these situations in Kitakyushu. The close association between drinking and liver diseases was found. Furthermore, a large proportion of drinkers were recipients of the Daily Life Security and this is one of the problems to be resolved. It also became clear that it is not easy to stop drinking for habitual drinkers in spite of the presence of liver diseases and the loss of feeling of satisfaction with life which may be triggered by retirement from job possibly hampers them from problem drinking. With an increase of a population of aged, an increase of alcoholism among them may cause serious, local but social problems. These problems may not be resolved only by the effort of clinical medicine, also macroscopical point of views through social structure, industrial structure, a policy of welfare, public health services etc. are required. A part of the study was presented at the 17th, 18th and 19th Conference of Japanese Medical Society of Alcohol Studies.