Demographic correlates of admissions to an alcoholism screening program.

The number of admissions in 1978 to a Milwaukee [Wisconsin, USA] alcoholism screening program was correlated with 1970 demographic data from 294 census tracts to determine the influence of neighborhood characteristics on use of such a program. The following demographic factors had a significant positive relationship with admissions to the program: the percentages of Spanish-speaking and widowed residents and of females aged 15-19 yr (P < 0.05); the percentages of blacks, of families with a female head of household, of single, separated and divorced residents, of residents with annual income < $6000, of families receiving public assistance and of rental units, the number of households below poverty level, the median value of homes and the number of households with no automobile available (P < 0.001). The following factors had a significant negative relationship with admissions to the alcoholism screening program: the percentage of those .gtoreq. 16 yr old employed (P < 0.05); the percentage of women aged 20-64 yr (P < 0.01); the percentages of whites, of high-school and college graduates, of families with a male head of household, of married residents, of owner-occupied residences and of residents with annual income of $ 15,000+ (P < 0.001). The implications of these findings in terms of present service and future planning are discussed.