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H F Garretsen

Publications and source records attributed to H F Garretsen.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

[A health survey and a survey of family physician house calls among Turkish and Dutch residents of Rotterdam].

This paper reports the results of a study of the health situation of Turkish and autochthonous citizens of Rotterdam (Holland). A health interview survey was held with a random sample of 250 Turkish citizens (age 19-69) and a matched group of 250 autochthonous citizens. With ten percent of the respondents a second, in-depth interview was held. With regard to (reported) presence of chronic diseases and to diseases in the two weeks preceding the interview no differences were found between Turkish and Dutch respondents. Turkish respondents answered less positively on questions that refer to subjective aspects of health. Turkish respondents consulted their general practitioner more frequently (RR = 2.62) and the dentist less frequently (RR = 0.61) than Dutch respondents. Little differences existed in frequency of visits to the medical specialist or in frequency of hospital admissions. With some caution, it may be concluded that the frequent visits to the general practitioner by Turkish respondents do not follow from differences in physical problems, but from cultural differences in the attitude towards the general practitioner.

Emigration and Immigration↗
PubMed1985

Alcohol consumption and alcohol control policy: the case of the Netherlands.

In the last decades the Netherlands have experienced a strong increase in heavy drinking, alcohol-related morbidity and, to a lesser extent, alcohol-related mortality. Along with an increase in leisure time and income, it is possible that two more specific factors contributed to these developments in alcohol consumption, i.e. catching up with the drinking habits of neighbouring countries and a process of secularization. The strong increases mentioned have until recently not provoked any strong negative reactions, either from the public at large or from the government. Moreover, the Dutch government has no tradition in developing and implementing a restrictive alcohol policy. In two large-scale studies in Rotterdam and Limburg we have found that in the population at large, there are, with one exception, no strong sentiments in favor of or against concrete preventive measures. We argue that an effective prevention policy is necessary, which should at least contain the following elements: (1) a public health campaign to support the implementation of possible restrictive measures; (2) measures aimed at a stabilization or reduction of the per capita consumption; (3) specific preventive measures for high risk groups; and (4) a social and political structure which facilitates the formulation and implementation of a prevention policy.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1983

Are epidemiological and sociological surveys a proper instrument for detecting true problem drinkers? (The low sensitivity of an alcohol survey in Rotterdam).

The sensitivity of an alcohol survey in Rotterdam is estimated at only 16%. Taking account of sampling fluctuations, an upper confidence limit of 47% for the sensitivity can be computed. The statistical procedure is not based upon interviewing true problem drinkers to be identified from registers, but upon an anonymous verification of positively scoring individuals and a sample of negatively scoring individuals in the survey with registers of true problem drinkers. The above results may have implications for the interpretation of survey based prevalence figures.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Research methods for illegal drug use in hidden populations: summary report of a European invited expert meeting.

An Invited European Expert Group Meeting was held in Rotterdam that focused on research methods for hidden populations using illicit drugs. Experts from most European Community member states participated and contributed state-of-the-art presentations on various research methodologies. Attention was paid to the more quantitatively oriented research methods, such as surveys using questionnaires, interviews, and routine statistics from treatment and criminal justice as well as to more ethnographically oriented research methodologies. Recommendations were formulated for the near future: research methodology needs to meet all the classical methodological criteria, such as clear definitions, tests on reliability and validity, and clear sampling procedures. Interfacing methods is the key phrase. More quantitatively oriented methods, such as interviewing a random sample from a household survey, seem unsuitable for research on illicit drugs, except perhaps for the use of cannabis. A multifactorial problem, such as illicit drug use and related problems, should be approached in a multidisciplinary way; that is, the integration of different research methodologies. Comparability between individual research projects in different countries requires not only technical adjustments of the data, but also a "framework for communication." Data always need to be interpreted in terms of cultural context. A similar framework should enhance studies with respect to comparison of drug policies and their consequences in different cities or countries.

Epidemiologic Methods↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Profiles of heroin addicts in different treatment conditions and in the community.

This article describes profiles of heroin addicts in three types of treatment (methadone, detox and therapeutic community) and those not in treatment in the local community. The profiles are based on data at item-level of the revised Addiction Severity Index. In total, 310 heroin addicts were interviewed. The results show that on the one hand the community group and the methadone group are roughly comparable, and on the other hand the detox and therapeutic community groups have similar characteristics. The latter groups report significantly more psychological and social problems. The community group mentions the fewest problems with drug use and more illegal activities in the past month. The results indicate that large differences exist between the groups in psychosocial problems. Furthermore, they indicate that the methadone group has no specific pattern of problems. Two important groups outside treatment are identified with respect to matching: addicts under 25 years old and addicts with a non-Dutch cultural background.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Alcohol consumption, alcohol-related problems, problem drinking, and socioeconomic status.

In general, a lower socioeconomic status (SES) is related to a lower health status, more health problems, and a shorter life expectancy. Although causal relations between SES and health are unclear, lifestyle factors play an intermediate role. The purpose of the present study was to obtain more insight into the relation between SES, alcohol consumption, alcohol-related problems, and problem drinking, through a general population survey among 8000 people in Rotterdam. Odds ratios were calculated using educational level as independent, and alcohol consumption, alcohol-related problems, and problem drinking as dependent variables. Abstinence decreased significantly by increasing educational level for both sexes. For men, excessive drinking, and notably very excessive drinking, was more prevalent in the lowest educational group. For women, no significant relation between educational level and prevalence of excessive drinking was found. After controlling for differences in drinking behaviour, among men the prevalence of 'psychological dependence' and 'social problems' was higher in intermediate educational groups, whereas prevalence of 'drunkenness' was lower in intermediate educational groups. For women, a negative relation was found between educational level and 'psychological dependence'; prevalence of 'symptomatic drinking' was higher in the lowest educational group. Prevalence of problem drinking was not related to educational level in either sex. It is concluded that differences exist between educational levels with respect to abstinence, but only limited differences were found with respect to excessive drinking. Furthermore, there is evidence for higher prevalences of alcohol-related problems in lower educational levels, after controlling for differences in drinking behaviour, in both sexes.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The development of alcohol consumption and problem drinking in Rotterdam 1980-1994: more problem drinking amongst the young and the middle aged.

In 1980/1981 and in 1994, two surveys on problem drinking were conducted in the city of Rotterdam. This article presents data on changes in alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems between 1981 and 1994. Special attention has been paid to possible shifts in groups at risk and to shifts in the kind of problems experienced. It was found that, in 1994, compared to 1981, problem drinking had become more prevalent amongst the young and the middle aged.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Stressors and alcohol consumption.

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between negative life events and chronic stressors and drinking behaviour. Data suggested that some life events (getting divorced) and some chronic stressors (financial difficulties, unfavourable marital status, and unfavourable employment status) were positively related to abstinence among men and women. Furthermore, some life events (being a victim of a crime, decrease in financial position, divorce or reporting two or more life events) were positively associated with heavy drinking among men. Chronic stressors, such as unfavourable marital status and unfavourable employment status, were also related to heavy drinking among both men and women. Results presented here suggest that people under stressful conditions are more likely to either abstain or drink heavily rather than to drink lightly or moderately.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Social climate on alcohol in Rotterdam, The Netherlands: public opinion on drinking behaviour and alcohol control measures.

Research was undertaken regarding the Dutch climate on alcohol in 1994 and results were compared with earlier findings. It was found that the social climate on alcohol in The Netherlands can be characterized by 'moderation'. Over the years, drinking without problems has become more acceptable (and is even encouraged at times) whereas excessive drinking and consequent problems still meet strong disapproval. Opinions concerning alcohol control measures mirror this attitude. Measures such as the restriction of drinking in public places and raising the age limits are endorsed by the public. However, more people are now against restrictions on the general availability of alcohol. Although drink-driving has decreased over the years, its prevalence is still high, especially among those who are most at risk.

Adult↗