Religion, Alcohol Use and Risk Drinking Among Canadian Adults Living in Ontario
This research examines (1) the association between risk drinking and religious affiliation and (2) differences between religions for risk drinking among adults living in Ontario, Canada, for Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, other religious groups and the non religious. Data are based on telephone interviews with 16,596 respondents and are derived from multiple cycles (2005 2011) of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health's (CAMH) Monitor survey, an ongoing cross sectional survey of adults in Ontario, Canada, aged 18 years and older. Data were analysed using bivariate cross tabulations, Mann Whitney U nonparametric test and logistic regression. Alcohol use and risk drinking occur among members of all religious groups; however, the rate of drinking ranges widely. Risk drinking is significantly associated with religion. When compared to the No religion/Atheist group, several religious groups (Baptist, Christian, Hindu, Jehovah's Witness, Jewish, Muslim/Islam, Non denominational, Pentecostal, Sikh and Other religion) in our sample have significantly lower odds of risk drinking. Risk drinkers also attended significantly fewer services among several religions. Results suggest that there are differences in the risk drinking rates among Canadian adults, living in Ontario, by religion. It appears that religious traditions of prohibition and abstention do hold sway among Canadian adults for some religious groups.
Journal of Religion and Health