Drinking in Mexico by Whites and Hispanics on and off the US/Mexico border in California

Abstract

This paper compares drinking patterns of Whites and Hispanics who after crossing the U.S./Mexico border drink and do not drink in Mexico. Data came from a household survey of 1,209 adults 18 to 39 years of age in California. Residence near the US/Mexico border increases the likelihood of drinking in Mexico (AOR = 4.57; 95%CI = 2.45–8.52; p < .001). Hispanics (AOR = 1.91; 95%CI = 1.26–2.90; p < .01), those who drink more frequently (AOR = 1.05; 95%CI = 1.02–1.09; p < .01) and those who drink six or more drinks in day (AOR = 1.91; 95%CI = 1.26–2.29; p < .01) are more likely than Whites and lighter drinkers to report this behavior. Crossing the U.S./Mexico border to drink is influenced by living close to the border, Hispanic ethnicity, and drinking many drinks in a day.

Keywords:

• Drinking in Mexico
• US/Mexico border
• Whites
• Hispanics

Additional information

Funding

Research for and preparation of this manuscript was supported by National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse Research Center grant P60-AA06282 to the third author.