Gender Differences in Predrinking Behavior Among Nightclubs' Patrons

Author(s)

Santos, Mariana G. R. ^[1] ; Paes, Angela T. ^[2] ; Sanudo, Adriana ^[3] ; Andreoni, Solange ^[3] ; Sanchez, Zila M. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Prevent Med, Sect Epidemiol, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Informat Hlth, Sect Stat, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Prevent Med, Sect Biostat, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ALCOHOLISM-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH; v. 39, n. 7, p. 1243-1252, JUL 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 4

Abstract

BackgroundDrinking before entering nightclubs (predrinking) seems to be associated with an increase in alcohol-related harm. This study aims to investigate gender differences in predrinking behavior and to evaluate its association with risk behaviors practiced inside nightclubs. MethodsIndividual-level data were collected by a portal survey of 2,422 patrons at the entrance and 1,833 patrons at the exit of 31 nightclubs located at SAo Paulo, Brazil. The nightclubs were selected by 2-stage sampling with probability proportional to the establishments' capacity in the first stage and a systematic sample of patrons in the entrance line in the second stage. Breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) was measured at the entrance and exit. Face-to-face interviews identified predrinking characteristics and risk behaviors. Weighted analyses were stratified by gender. ResultsPredrinking was practiced by 49.2% (95% confidence interval {[}CI]=42.7 to 55.8) of the male patrons and 29.0% (95% CI=20.6 to 38.9) of the female patrons (p<0.001) on the day of the interview. When considering only predrinkers, men and women showed similar BrAC at entrance and exit and similar proportion of alcoholic intoxication (BrAC0.38mg/l). In both genders, people who practiced predrinking on the day of the interview were more likely to drink inside the nightclub, compared to those who did not practice predrinking (p<0.001). Among men, the practice of predrinking increased the chance of drinking and driving after leaving the nightclub (odds ratio {[}OR]=6.9, 95% CI=4.1-11.5, p<0.001). Among women, the practice of predrinking increased the chances of experiencing sexual harassment in the nightclub (OR=2.9, 95% CI=1.3 to 6.6, p=0.010). ConclusionsPredrinking is more prevalent among men; however, men and women who engaged in predrinking have a similar pattern of alcohol consumption and exit BrAC. The fact that risk behaviors and illicit drug use were associated with predrinking but differ between genders suggests that a gender-specific approach should be used in tailored interventions to prevent alcohol-related harm in nightclubs. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/03832-4 - The phenomenon of "pre-drinking" among young people: characteristics and factors associated with drinking pre-party
• Grantee: Mariana Guedes Ribeiro Santos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 11/51658-0 - Patterns of alcohol and other drugs consumption on nightclubs and bars: epidemiology, ethnography and intervention
• Grantee: Zila van der Meer Sanchez Dutenhefner
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants