Binge Drinking Among Public Sector Food Service Workers in Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To investigate occupational risk factors associated with binge drinking (BD) among public sector food service workers in a Brazilian capital. Methods: All workers from the Government-backed Economy Restaurant Program (GbERP) in Belo Horizonte city were evaluated. BD was defined as consumption of five or more doses (male) or four or more doses (female) of alcoholic beverages on a single occasion within 30 days. Occupational psychosocial and physical stressors were the main exposure variables; sociodemographic, health, and lifestyle variables were inserted as potential confounding factors. We performed logistic regression. Results: A total of 214 people participated in the study and 30.7% reported BD. Psychosocial (violence and high demands) and ergonomic aspects were associated with the outcome. Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of BD among GbERP workers. Actions are necessary to reduce violence and high strain and consequently BD.