Prevalence of alcohol abuse and associated factors in the Northeast and South regions of Brazil

Volz, Pâmela

Prevalence of alcohol abuse and associated factors in the Northeast and South regions of Brazil

Tuesday, 19 August 2014: 11:15 AM

Boardroom (Dena'ina Center)

Pâmela Volz, MS , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

Elaine Tomasi, PhD , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

Mirelle O Saes, MS , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

Suele M Silva, PhD , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

Fernando V Siqueira, PhD , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

Denise S Silveira, PhD , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

Elaine Thumé, PhD , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

Bruna Tomasi Sassi, BA , Universit Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

Marcio Almeida Mendes, MD , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

Luiz A Facchini, PhD , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

INTRODUCTION: The alcohol abuse has a negative impact on quality of life, work and health. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of alcohol abuse and associated factors.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study carried out in 2005 with a sample consisted of 4,060 individuals with 30-64 years old living in areas covered by primary health centers in 41 municipalities up to 100 thousand inhabitants in the Northeast and South regions of Brazil. The outcome was measured using the CAGE test, considering two or more affirmative responses from a total of four and was applied to 1,479 adults who reported frequent alcohol use. This analysis was performed with chi-square test.

RESULTS: The prevalence of alcohol abuse was 22.3% (n=329) and was significantly higher (p=0,02) in the Northeast (26.7%) than South (17.6%). Higher prevalence was significantly observed among men, with black or brown skin color, less educational level, worst economic class and among those with common mental disorders (SRQ-20). It was no observed differences in analyzes when stratified by region.

CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of alcohol abuse appears as a public health problem in Brazil. Associated factors suggest the importance of social determinants in the occurrence of the problem. The findings may support the discussions about alcohol abuse around the world.