Associations between multiple deprivation and tobacco, alcohol, and psychotropic drug use

Objectives. To assess the relationships of multiple deprivation and gender differences towards tobacco, alcohol and psychotropic drug use. Design and methods. The sample included 6,216 subjects, aged 15 years, randomly selected in north-eastern France who completed a mailed questionnaire. Data were analyzed with the logistic model. Results. Multiple deprivation (noted MD, defined by the cumulative number of: low educational level, manual worker, unemployment, living alone, nationality (other than Western Europe), low income, and non-home-ownership) concerned many people: 37.4% for MD1, 21.2% for MD2, 10.0% for MD≥3. Tobacco and excess alcohol use was more frequent in men than in women (30.2% vs. 21.9%, 12.5% vs. 3.3%, p<0.001) contrarily to frequent psychotropic drug use (for headache, tiredness, nervousness/anxiety, insomnia, 23.8% vs. 41.0%, p<0.001). The MD was strongly related to tobacco use (odds ratio 1.16, 95%CI 1.00-1.34 for MD1; 1.49, 1.27-1.74 for MD2; 1.93, 1.59-2.35 for MD≥3; vs. MD0) as well as to excess alcohol use (1.19, 0.94-1.52 for MD1; 1.32, 1.01-1.73 for MD2; 1.80, 1.32-2.46 for MD≥3; vs. MD0) and to frequent psychotropic drug use (1.26, 1.11-1.44 for MD1; 1.51, 1.30-1.75 for MD2; 1.91, 1.58-2.30 for MD≥3; vs. MD0). Marked relationships were observed between the MD and the use of those substances in active/non-retired inactive men and women (except for excess alcohol use in female). In retired people, the MD was associated with tobacco and psychotropic use in men only. Conclusion. Multiple deprivation may favour tobacco, alcohol and psychotropic drug use. The psychologists may find gender differences remedial measures.