Prevalence of alcohol abuse and associated factors in a population-based study

Author(s)

Marilisa Berti de Azevedo Barros ^[1] ; Neury José Botega ^[2] ; Paulo Dalgalarrondo ^[3] ; Letícia Marín-León ^[4] ; Helenice Bosco de Oliveira ^[5]

Affiliation

^[1] Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Faculdade de Ciências Médicas. Departamento de Medicina Preventiva e Social - Brasil

^[2] Unicamp. FCM. Departamento de Psicologia Médica e Psiquiatria - Brasil

^[3] Unicamp. FCM. Departamento de Psicologia Médica e Psiquiatria - Brasil

^[4] Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Faculdade de Ciências Médicas. Departamento de Medicina Preventiva e Social - Brasil

^[5] Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Faculdade de Ciências Médicas. Departamento de Medicina Preventiva e Social - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Revista de Saúde Pública; v. 41, n. 4, p. 502-509, 2007-05-29.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of alcohol abuse/dependence and identify associated factors among demographic, family, socioeconomic and mental health variables. METHODS: A household survey was carried out in the urban area of Campinas, southeastern Brazil, in 2003. A total of 515 subjects, aged 14 years or more were randomly selected using a stratified cluster sample. The Self-Report Questionnaire and the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test were used in the interview. Prevalences were calculated, and univariate and multivariate logistic analyses performed by estimating odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The estimated prevalence of alcohol abuse/dependence was 13.1% (95% CI: 8.4;19.9) in men and 4.1% (95% CI: 1.9;8.6) in women. In the final multiple logistic regression model, alcohol abuse/dependence was significantly associated with age, income, schooling, religion and illicit drug use. The adjusted odds ratios were significantly higher in following variables: income between 2,501 and 10,000 dollars (OR=10.29); income above 10,000 dollars (OR=10.20); less than 12 years of schooling (OR=13.42); no religion (OR=9.16) or religion other than Evangelical (OR=4.77); and illicit drug use during lifetime (OR=4.47). Alcohol abuse and dependence patterns were different according to age group. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significantly high prevalence of alcohol abuse/dependence in this population. The knowledge of factors associated with alcohol abuse, and differences in consumption patterns should be taken into account in the development of harm reduction strategies. (AU)