Gender differences in drinking patterns and alcohol-related problems in a community sample in São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

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 São 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 non-heavy 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.

Associação entre o consumo de bebidas alcoólicas e tabaco e a religiosidade

“…(10,14,15) As regards religion, there was a significant percentage of Catholics and Evangelicals; these data are shown in the 2010 Brazilian census and other studies about the Brazilian population profile. (16) The association between female sex and higher consumption of alcohol is in line with national and international studies (3,(17)(18)(19) that described the global increase in alcohol consumption among women in the last few years. The national survey about alcohol consumption patterns in the Brazilian population identified that young women make up the group with highest indexes of increase in alcohol consumption, and are in higher risk of presenting harmful consumption.…”

“…(3) In brief, studies show universalization of consumption in relation to sex, and men cannot be thought as the main consumers. (18,19) It is worth emphasizing the importance of understanding this specific change of behavior observed among women. In order to plan intervention strategies focused on women with consumption similar of tobacco if compared to individuals who attended more frequently.…”

Adverse childhood experiences and consumption of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs among adolescents of a Brazilian birth cohort

“…Similar patterns can happen with tobacco use 35 . Although these behaviors have been found in adults 34 , they could start during adolescence, explaining the higher prevalence of alcohol and tobacco use among females. As well as alcohol and tobacco, illicit drugs also play a role in facing adversities, and its consumption has increased in recent years among Brazilian adolescents 3 .…”

“…However, researchers who assess alcohol use, taking gender differences into account, have revealed that the social pressures are related to the increase of alcohol consumption among women as a way of relieving stress or for them to match the behaviors accepted for males, particularly among those with more schooling 34 . Similar patterns can happen with tobacco use 35 .…”

Problemas comportamentais ligados ao uso de álcool

“…Os padrões de consumo foram categorizados em: abstêmios (consumo de menos de doze doses/ ano), uso moderado (consumo de pelo menos doze doses, sem nunca ter feito uso pesado), uso pesado episódico (cinco ou mais doses em uma única ocasião, para homens, e quatro ou mais, para mulheres) e uso pesado e frequente (uso pesado do álcool ao menos três vezes na semana) (Silveira et al, 2007;2012).…”