The geography of binge drinking: the role of alcohol-related knowledge, behaviours and attitudes. Results from the Health Survey for England 2007.

AIMS To determine the role of alcohol-related knowledge, behaviours and attitudes in regional inequalities of binge drinking in England. RESULTS Adults in all regions except West Midlands and men in the East of England had significantly higher odds of binge drinking than in London. Odds of binge drinking were significantly higher among adults who had had an alcoholic drink in the last 7 days in the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, and women in the South West. Alcohol-related risk factors for binge drinking were heaviest drinking day being a Friday for men, or Saturday; on heaviest drinking day drinking 2+ drink types, or strong beer only for men, alcopops only for women; drinking more on heaviest drinking day; wanting to drink less alcohol; and thinking it acceptable to get drunk. Protective factors were drinking spirits only on the heaviest day; drinking the same on more than one day compared with drinking on one day only for women; disagreeing it was easier to enjoy a social event if had a drink; supporting alcohol taxation; and not having heard of alcohol units for men. CONCLUSIONS Alcohol-related attitudinal and behavioural factors were associated with regional variations in binge drinking.