Differences in drinking patterns between men and women in Brazil (original) (raw)
2012
OBJECTIVE: To investigate drinking patterns and gender differences in alcohol-related problems in a Brazilian population, with an emphasis on the frequency of heavy drinking. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a probability adult household sample (n = 1,464) in the city of Sã o Paulo, Brazil. Alcohol intake and ICD-10 psychopathology diagnoses were assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 1.1. The analyses focused on the prevalence and determinants of 12-month nonheavy drinking, heavy episodic drinking (4-5 drinks per occasion), and heavy and frequent drinking (heavy drinking at least 3 times/week), as well as associated alcohol-related problems according to drinking patterns and gender. RESULTS: Nearly 22% (32.4% women, 8.7% men) of the subjects were lifetime abstainers, 60.3% were non-heavy drinkers, and 17.5% reported heavy drinking in a 12-month period (26.3% men, 10.9% women). Subjects with the highest frequency of heavy drinking reported the most problems. Among subjects who did not engage in heavy drinking, men reported more problems than did women. A gender convergence in the amount of problems was observed when considering heavy drinking patterns. Heavy and frequent drinkers were twice as likely as abstainers to present lifetime depressive disorders. Lifetime nicotine dependence was associated with all drinking patterns. Heavy and frequent drinking was not restricted to young ages. CONCLUSIONS: Heavy and frequent episodic drinking was strongly associated with problems in a community sample from the largest city in Latin America. Prevention policies should target this drinking pattern, independent of age or gender. These findings warrant continued research on risky drinking behavior, particularly among persistent heavy drinkers at the non-dependent level.
Drinking patterns between men and women in two distinct Brazilian communities
Revista Brasileira de …, 2008
OBJECTIVE: A survey was conducted to compare gender differences in patterns of drinking in two stratified, urban and representative samples from two communities (B and RJr). METHOD: The Genacis (Gender, Alcohol, and Culture: an International Study) questionnaire was used. RESULTS: There were several significant differences in the demographics and patterns of alcohol use between these two samples. One had an older, more Catholic, educated, Caucasian population, with more women in the labor force. Data from B community showed that women and men had similar patterns of drinking. RJr had much higher use of alcohol among men, and almost 22% of those under 49 years old were binge drinkers. DISCUSSION: Access, smoking, income and having a heavy drinker partner were important risk factors for women's drinking. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that when women's roles become more similar to men's, so do their drinking patterns.
Contemporary Drug Problems, 2007
The article examines patterns of alcohol consumption in a community sample from São Paulo City, Brazil. A household survey-was carried out with a representative urban sample, stratified by clusters. The GENACIS questionnaire was used in 1473 face-to-face interviews. There was a predominance of females (58.7%) and those under 40 years of age (53.2%). For both genders heavy drinking (HD) was associated with having an HD partner and feeling less inhibited about sex when drinking. For men HD was associated with a younger age (p = 0.006) and for women with drinking alone (< 0.001). A positive attitude towards drinking and sex and having a partner who also was a heavy drinker were thus predictors of HD for both genders. Younger men and women drinking alone were more at risk of heavy drinking.
International gender and alcohol research: recent findings and future directions
Alcohol research & health : the journal of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2002
As international travel, migration, and mass media increase cross-national influences on alcohol use and alcohol-related problems, better understanding of the sociocultural influences on women's and men's drinking will become increasingly valuable for improving national and international efforts to reduce problems caused by alcohol consumption. This article summarizes international collaborative research conducted during the past decade on gender-related influences on alcohol use, identifies future directions for research in this area, and suggests possible implications of this research for the development of more gender-sensitive national and international alcohol policy.
Patterns of alcohol use between genders: a cross-cultural evaluation
Journal of Affective Disorders, 2007
Introduction: Alcohol use by men and women is very much influenced by social habits and customs. Cultural peculiarities and biological differences between the sexes require more focused and standardized studies. The objective was to systematize information on patterns of alcohol use between the sexes. Method: A literary review identified 96 publications (Lilacs, Scielo, Medline) and some related books. Results and conclusions: Men drank more and presented more problems (legal, family, social, clinical, traumas and mortality) associated with alcohol use; the consequences of alcohol use in developing countries with low death rates is even higher. Women can face more discrimination by using alcohol as well as worse health problems when they abuse drinking (liver, pancreas, and central and peripheral nervous system problems, psychiatric comorbidity, etc.); sexual abuse is more commonly associated with women than discussing the different responses to treatment. As for social roles/responsibilities exercised by women, there are indications that marriage, employment, and children have a good influence, discouraging alcohol use, while divorce, unemployment, and no children contribute to higher consumption. For both sexes, religion was a protective factor for alcohol use; acculturation was a strong influence in the pattern of alcohol use, and alcohol worsened the evolution of existing psychiatric disorders.
2008
Objective: A survey was conducted to compare gender differences in patterns of drinking in two stratified, urban and representative samples from two communities (B and RJr). Method: The Genacis (Gender, Alcohol, and Culture: an International Study) questionnaire was used. Results: There were several significant differences in the demographics and patterns of alcohol use between these two samples. One had an older, more Catholic, educated, Caucasian population, with more women in the labor force. Data from B community showed that women and men had similar patterns of drinking. RJr had much higher use of alcohol among men, and almost 22% of those under 49 years old were binge drinkers. Discussion: Access, smoking, income and having a heavy drinker partner were important risk factors for women's drinking. Conclusions: This study shows that when women's roles become more similar to men's, so do their drinking patterns.
Patrones de consumo de alcohol y problemas asociados en Brasil
Adicciones, 2013
This paper describes patterns of alcohol consumption and associated problems in Brazil. Data came from a multicluster random sample of 2,346 Brazilians 18 years of age and older. The survey was conducted in 2005-2006 and had a response rate of 66.4%. About 35% of the men and 59% of the women did not drink in the past 12 months, while 39% of the men and 13% of the women consumed alcohol at least once a week. Further, 38% of the men and 17% of the women consumed 5 or more drinks "usually", and 40% of the men and 18% of the women reported binge drinking in the past 12 months. The prevalence of alcohol use disorders (DSM-4 abuse and/or dependence) was 19% among men and 4% among women. Although abstinence in Brazil is relatively high, binge drinking is frequent and, thus, alcohol problems and alcohol use disorders are also frequent.
Alcohol drinking patterns by gender, ethnicity, and social class in Bahia, Brazil
Revista De Saude Publica, 2004
OBJECTIVE: To study patterns of alcohol consumption and prevalence of high-risk drinking. METHODS: A household survey was carried out in a sample of 2,302 adults in Salvador, Brazil. Cases of High-Risk Drinking (HRD) were defined as those subjects who referred daily or weekly binge drinking plus episodes of drunkenness and those who reported any use of alcoholic beverages but with frequent drunkenness (at least once a week). RESULTS: Fifty-six per cent of the sample acknowledged drinking alcoholic beverages. Overall consumption was significantly related with gender (male), marital status (single), migration (non-migrant), better educated (college level), and social class (upper). No significant differences were found regarding ethnicity, except for cachaça (Brazilian sugarcane liquor) and other distilled beverages. Overall 12-month prevalence of high-risk drinking was 7%, six times more prevalent among males than females (almost 13% compared to 2.4%). A positive association of HRD prevalence with education and social class was found. No overall relationship was found between ethnicity and HRD. Male gender and higher socioeconomic status were associated with increased odds of HRD. Two-way stratified analyses yielded consistent gender effects throughout all strata of independent variables. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that social and cultural elements determine local patterns of alcohol-drinking behavior. Additional research on long-term and differential effects of gender, ethnicity, and social class on alcohol use and misuse is needed in order to explain their role as sources of social health inequities.
Addiction, 2003
To assess the prevalence of potential alcohol use disorders and associated factors using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Design Cross-sectional study. Setting A town in southern Brazil. Participants A representative sample of 1260 people aged 15 and over. Measurements Demographic, socioeconomic, smoking habit and mental health data were collected. Logistic regression was used in the multivariate analysis, and odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Findings Overall prevalence of alcohol use disorder was 7.9%, with 14.5% prevalence among men and 2.4% among women. The risk of alcohol misuse increased across social class ( P linear trend = 0.03) and compared with the highest classes (A and B), groups C through E had ORs of 1.48, 1.51 and 2.36, respectively. Males had an OR of 6.89 (CI 3.61-13.16) compared with women. A linear trend was found ( P = 0.001) between smoking categories, and smokers (OR 3.27; CI 1.91-5.58) and ex-smokers (OR 1.30; CI 0.56-2.98) were at higher risk than non-smokers. Those with minor psychiatric disorders had a 2.48 OR (CI 1.35-4.56) of presenting a positive test. Conclusions The AUDIT detected a high prevalence of potential alcohol use disorders in the population sampled. Those identified are potential targets for preventive measures implemented through health policies.
Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs, 2007
The aims of this study were to quantify heavy episodic drinking (HED) among adults living in two middle-class boroughs in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, and to estimate possible effects of gender, age, and other sociodemographic factors. Data were taken from the São Paulo Catchment Area Study. A representative sample (N = 1,464) of the adult population living in households was assessed through Composite International Diagnostic Interview Version 1.1. The pattern of lifetime and last-12-month alcohol consumption was evaluated. HED was defined as consuming five or more drinks per drinking day for men and four or more drinks per drinking day for women. Prevalence rates and sociodemographic correlates were examined separately for men and women. The overall 12-month prevalence of HED in this sample was 10.7%, with 15.4% of the men and 7.2% of the women reporting HED. Lifetime overall abstinence was 22.2%, with 32.4% of the women and 8.7% of the men being lifetime abstainers. The odds of ...
Alcohol harm reduction in Brazil
Alcohol consumption is an important health issue in Brazil. This paper provides an overview of alcohol-related problems in the country and explores some of the initiatives employed to address these problems. Although the notion of alcohol harm reduction is relatively new in Brazil, much work has been done to incorporate it further into the country’s drug policy. The paper discusses some of the federal and state government efforts in the realm of alcohol harm reduction and provides examples of good practice from a variety of other actors, such as NGOs and universities. Looking forward, a number of challenges are outlined, such as providing better treatment to all in need of assistance,establishing a fruitful and consistent partnership between private and public sectors, measuring the size and consequences of illicit alcohol production, and addressing alcohol-related problems among Brazil’s indigenous populations. In general, there is a lack of national drug and alcohol data in Brazil. Further research related to alcohol consumption, therefore, is necessary in order to provide Brazil’s decision-makers with comprehensive and reliable data that could guide public health policies.
Drug and alcohol review, 2018
Gender and age patterns of drinking are important in guiding country responses to harmful use of alcohol. This study undertook cross-country analysis of drinking across gender, age groups in some high-and middle-income countries. Surveys of drinkers were conducted in Australia, England, Scotland, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis (high-income), Thailand, South Africa, Mongolia and Vietnam (middle-income) as part of the International Alcohol Control Study. Drinking pattern measures were high-frequency, heavier-typical quantity and higher-risk drinking. Differences in the drinking patterns across age and gender groups were calculated. Logistic regression models were applied including a measure of country-level income. Percentages of high-frequency, heavier-typical quantity and higher-risk drinking were greater among men than in women in all countries. Older age was associated with drinking more frequently but smaller typical quantities especially in high-income countries. Middle-income ...
Alcohol and harm reduction in Brazil
International Journal of Drug Policy, 2006
Alcohol consumption is an important health issue in Brazil. This paper provides an overview of alcohol-related problems in the country and explores some of the initiatives employed to address these problems. Although the notion of alcohol harm reduction is relatively new in Brazil, much work has been done to incorporate it further into the country's drug policy. The paper discusses some of the federal and state government efforts in the realm of alcohol harm reduction and provides examples of good practice from a variety of other actors, such as NGOs and universities. Looking forward, a number of challenges are outlined, such as providing better treatment to all in need of assistance, establishing a fruitful and consistent partnership between private and public sectors, measuring the size and consequences of illicit alcohol production, and addressing alcohol-related problems among Brazil's indigenous populations. In general, there is a lack of national drug and alcohol data in Brazil. Further research related to alcohol consumption, therefore, is necessary in order to provide Brazil's decision-makers with comprehensive and reliable data that could guide public health policies.
WHO Expert Committee on Problems Related to Alcohol Consumption. Second report
World Health Organization technical report series, 2007
The disease burden attributable to alcohol consumption is significant and, in many countries, public health problems caused by harmful use of alcohol represent a substantial health, social and economic burden. Reduction of the alcohol-attributable burden is becoming a priority area for international public health. Alcohol-related harm can be reduced through the implementation of proven alcohol strategies, including at a global level. This report of a WHO Expert Committee reviews the health and social consequences of alcohol consumption and disease burden attributable to alcohol in the context of alcohol-related harm and recent trends in alcohol consumption worldwide. Based on the reviews of available evidence, including the latest data on the contribution of alcohol consumption to the global disease burden, the Committee makes several recommendations emphasizing WHO's role in coordinating a global response, and the need for global action to reduce alcohol-related harm through ef...
Alcohol use patterns among Brazilian adults
Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria, 2010
OBJECTIVE: To describe patterns of alcohol consumption in the adult Brazilian population. METHOD: Multicluster random sample of 2,346 subjects 18 years of age or older, selected nationwide. Interviews were conducted in respondents' homes between November 2005 and April 2006. RESULTS: About 48% of the sample had not drunk alcoholic beverages in the past year, with variations by gender, age, marital status, education, income and region of the country. Among drinkers, 29% reported drinking 5 or more drinks per occasion (men, 38%). Sociodemographic variables are associated with the frequency and amount of drinking, alcohol problems, and alcohol abuse and dependence. Among the whole sample (including drinkers and non drinkers), 28% reported binge drinking, 25% reported at least one kind of alcohol related problem, 3% were alcohol abusers and another 9% were alcohol dependent. DISCUSSION: Abstinence is high in the Brazilian population. However, elevated proportions of those who drink ...