Table 2 Alcohol consumption and knowledge of NHMRC guidelines

Mean (SD) AUDIT score (females)

5.4 (5.2)

4.5 (4.3)

Mean (SD) AUDIT score (males)

7.0 (6.4)

5.6 (4.5)

Mean (SD) AUDIT score (all)

6.0 (5.7)

5.0 (4.5)

Drink alcohol ≥ twice per month

48% (95% CI 45-51)

70% (95% CI 66-74)

Drink ≥ 6 drinks per session monthly or more (females)

29% (95% CI 26-32)

16% (95% CI 13-20)

Drink ≥ 6 drinks per session monthly or more (males)

39% (95% CI 36-42)

30% (95% CI 26-34)

Drink ≥ 6 drinks per session monthly or more (all)

33% (95% CI 30-36)

21% (95% CI 18-24)

Risk of alcohol related harm

Low risk (≤ 7)

58% (95% CI 55-61)

75% (95% CI 71-79)

Medium risk (8-15)

20% (95% CI 17-23)

14% (95% CI 11-17)

High risk (≥ 16)

6% (95% CI 4-8)

4% (95% CI 2-6)

Never drank alcohol

15% (95% CI 12-18)

7% (95% CI 5-9)

Age of first alcohol - mean (SD)

16.1 (2.8)

17.2 (3.5)

Most commonly drunk types of alcohol

Beer (full strength)

24% (95% CI 21-27)

12% (95% CI 9-15)

Wine

20% (95% CI 17-23)

59% (95% CI 54-64)

Spirits

46% (95% CI 42-50)

10% (95% CI 7-13)

NHMRC guidelines

Aware of guidelines

65% (95% CI 62-68)

79% (95% CI 75-83)

Nomination of number of drinks a day to reduce the risk to long term health

Within guidelines (≤ 2)

77% (95% CI 74-80)

82% (95% CI 78-86)

Greater than guidelines (≥ 3)

12% (95% CI 10-14)

10% (95% CI 7-13)

Don't know

11% (95% CI 9-13)

8% (95% CI 6-11)

Nomination of number of drinks on one occasion to reduce the risk of injury

Within guidelines (≤ 4)

58% (95% CI 54-61)

63% (95% CI 58-68)

Greater than guidelines (≥ 5)

29% (95% CI 26-32)

22% (95% CI 18-26)

Don't know

13% (95% CI 11-15)

14% (95% CI 11-17)