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Aims This study examines the relationship between survey month completion and self-reported alcohol consumption in the last 12 months. It is hypothesized that respondents that complete the survey in the warmer months of the year will report greater alcohol consumption over the last 12 months compared with surveys completed in the colder months. Methods The alcohol consumption data was obtained from three waves of the National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) from 2010, 2013 and 2016, between May and November each year (n = 74,252). The associations between month of survey completion and three measures of past-year alcohol consumption were examined using a mix of linear and logistic regression. All models were adjusted for survey year, mode of administration, state of residence, rurality, Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), sex and age. Results Results varied by drinking measure. In general, there were higher estimates for respondents completing the survey in November and lower estimates in August and September. Conclusions The results in this study demonstrate the significant relationship between month of survey completion and alcohol consumption in the last 12 months. Seasonal variations in alcohol consumption have the potential to impact respondents' accurate recall of alcohol consumption in the last 12 months and changes to survey timing have the potential to bias trend estimates of drinking behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To assess the effectiveness of mass media messages to reduce alcohol consumption and related harms using a systematic literature review. Methods: Eight databases were searched along with reference lists of eligible studies. Studies of any design in any country were included, provided that they evaluated a mass media intervention targeting alcohol consumption or related behavioural, social cognitive or clinical outcomes. Drink driving interventions and college campus campaigns were ineligible. Studies quality were assessed, data were extracted and a narrative synthesis conducted. Results: Searches produced 10,212 results and 24 studies were included in the review. Most campaigns used TV or radio in combination with other media channels were conducted in developed countries and were of weak quality. There was little evidence of reductions in alcohol consumption associated with exposure to campaigns based on 13 studies which measured consumption, although most did not state this as a specific aim of the campaign. There were some increases in treatment seeking and information seeking and mixed evidence of changes in intentions, motivation, beliefs and attitudes about alcohol. Campaigns were associated with increases in knowledge about alcohol consumption, especially where levels had initially been low. Recall of campaigns was high. Conclusion: Mass media health campaigns about alcohol are often recalled by individuals, have achieved changes in knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about alcohol but there is little evidence of reductions in alcohol consumption. Short summary: There is little evidence that mass media campaigns have reduced alcohol consumption although most did not state that they aimed to do so. Studies show recall of campaigns is high and that they can have an impact on knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about alcohol consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]