Alcohol abuse and involvement in traffic accidents in the Brazilian population, 2013.

Giseli Nogueira Damacena,Wanessa Da Silva De Almeida,Cristiano Siqueira Boccolini,Deborah Carvalho Malta,Paulo Roberto Borges De Souza Júnior,Lucas Sisinno Ribeiro,Célia Landmann Szwarcwald

doi:10.1590/1413-812320152112.25692015

Giseli Nogueira Damacena, Wanessa Da Silva De Almeida + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-812320152112.25692015

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Abstract

Abstract This article aims to analyze alcohol abuse and frequent consumption according to sociodemographic characteristics and investigate the risk of greater involvement in traffic accidents, using data from the National Health Survey (PNS), 2013, Brazil. Events investigated were alcohol abuse and frequent consumption and if the individual was involved in a traffic accident and sustained an injury in the last 12 months. We investigated both events according to sociodemographic characteristics and assessed the association among them through multivariate logistic regression. The prevalence of alcohol abuse and frequent consumption was 6.1% for the population aged 18 years and over, 8.9% among men and 3.6% among women. The prevalence of involvement in traffic accidents was 3.1% in the general population and 6.1% among those who reported alcohol abuse. After controlling for sociodemographic factors, alcohol abuse and frequent consumption was significantly associated with traffic accidents. Considering a higher risk of involvement in traffic accidents among individuals who reported alcohol abuse and frequent consumption, monitoring blood alcohol concentration of drivers becomes a strategic possibility of intervention.

Highlights

Alcohol is a widely used drug classified as a lawful drug and known for its psychotropic characteristics that promote sociability and integration among individuals
With regard to alcohol abuse, according to sociodemographic characteristics, the highest prevalence rates were among young single black men
The same sociodemographic pattern was observed for individuals who were involved in a traffic accident and who reported alcohol abuse and frequent consumption

Summary

Introduction

Alcohol is a widely used drug classified as a lawful drug and known for its psychotropic characteristics that promote sociability and integration among individuals. In many cultures, its consumption is promoted during social events, celebrations, religious ceremonies, among other occasions[1,2]. It is estimated that individuals aged 15 years or older consumed, in 2010, about 6.2 liters of pure alcohol, equivalent to about 13.5 g daily[3]. While countries like Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela have a relatively high proportion of individuals who do not consume alcohol (over 40% of the population over 15 years), the per capita consumption of those who consume was considerably higher than the global average in 2010 (Brazil 8.7 liters, Argentina 9.3 liters and Venezuela 8.9 liters)[3,4]. In Brazil, estimated consumption among men is 13.6 liters and 4.2 liters among women[3]

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