Gender Differences in the Use of Alcohol and Psychotropics in a Brazilian Population

Abstract

This cross-sectional, interview-based survey aimed to assess the use of licit substances in terms of gender and sociodemographic factors in the city of Pelotas, southern Brazil. Subjects aged 15 years and over and living in urban areas were eligible and a total of 1277 subjects were interviewed. The prevalence of alcohol consumption was 54.2%; 11.9% (21.7% of men and 4.1% of women) reported potentially harmful levels of alcohol use (“at-risk alcohol intake”); 4.2% were classified as manifesting alcohol dependence by CAGE questionnaire. At-risk alcohol intake and subjects with a positive CAGE score were more common among males aged 35–54 yrs. Among the youngest age group, the prevalence of CAGE positive score was similar for males and females, while subjects with lower educational levels showed a higher prevalence. Women were more likely than men to report the use of psychotropic drugs (15% vs. 7%). These results highlight the importance of substance use in Brazil, and suggest that gender differences must to be taken into consideration when planning intervention programs in developing countries.

• Alcohol
• Gender
• Drinking problem
• Consumption
• Epidemiology

Resumen

Esta investigación de corte transversal, realizada através de entrevistas, buscó valorar el uso de substancias lícitas, teniendo en cuenta las variables de sexo y condiciones sociales y demográficas en la ciudad de Pelotas, ubicada en el sur de Brasil. Fueron aceptadas personas de 15 años o más, que vivían en zonas urbanas (fueron entrevistadas 12776 personas).

La prevalencia del consumo de bebidas alcoholicas fué de 54.2%, de los cuales 11.9% (27.7% de varones e 4.1% de mujeres). Indicó niveles potencialmente perjudiciales de uso de alcohol (ingesta de alcohol com riesgo), 4.2% fueron clasificados como dependientes alcohólicos según el cuestionário CAGE. Los varones, com edades entre 35 a 54 años, tuvieron los puntajes mayores. En el grupo de jóvenes, la prevalencia de CAGE positivo tuvo valores similares en ambos sexos y fué mayor en los de menor nivel de educación. Las mujeres se mostraron más predispuestas que los varones a declarar el uso de substancias sicotrópicas (15% versus 7%).

Estos resultados señalan la importancia del consumo de estas substancias en Brazil y sugiere que deben ser consideradas estas variables en la planificación de programas de actuación en países en desarrollo.

Résumé

Cette étude transversale faite à partir d’un sondage a eu comme objectif vérifier l’usage de drogues légales et de sa prévalence selon le sexe et les facteurs socio-démographiques à Pelotas, ville située au sud du Brésil.

On a choisi des individus âgés de 15 ans et plus, parmi la population urbaine de Pelotas. On a trouvé un taux d’ingestion d’alcohol de 54.2% parmi les 1227 individus interviewés. Cet échantillon montre que 11.9% des individus (21.7% hommes et 4.1% femmes) font usage de l’alcohol à des niveaux potentiellement dangereux (Alcohol Risk Intake-ARI) et que 4.2% ont été classées comme ayant des problèmes de dépendance de l’alcohol selon le questionnaire CAGE. L’incidence de ARI et de problèmes de dépendance de l’alcohol ont été plus fréquents parmi les hommes âgés de 35 à 54 ans. Les taux de problèmes de dépendance de l’alcohol ont été pareils pour hommes et femmes appartenant au groupe plus jeune. Les individus à niveau d’instruction inférieur ont montré des taux plus hauts de problèmes de dépendance de l’alcohol. Chez les femmes l’usage de psychotropes a été plus fréquent (15% versus 7% chez les hommes).

Les résultats obtenus mettent en évidence l’usage des drogues légales au Brésil et suggèrent qu’on doit tenir compte de ces deux facteurs: sexe de conditions socio-démographiques, lors de l’élaboration de plans de santé destinés aux populations des pays en voie de développement.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Maurício S. de Lima

Maurício Silva de Lima graduated in medicine at the Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. He completed his residency in psychiatry and took a Masters Degree in Epidemiology at the same institution. He took a Ph.D. in Psychiatry at the Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil, and a postdoctoral training at the Section of Epidemiology and General Practice, Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom. Currently works as Associate Professor of Psychiatry in the Department of Mental Health of the Universidade Federal de Pelotas and for Post-Graduation in Health and Behavior at Universidade Católica de Pelotas.

John Dunn

John Dunn graduated in medicine at the University of Nottingham Medical School, England and trained in psychiatry at St Thomas' Hospital and the Maudsely Hospital, London. He has worked in the area of drug and alcohol misuse for the last seven years, firstly at the Maudsley Hospital and for the last five years at the UNIAD (Unidade de Pesquisas em Álcool e Drogas) of the Department of Psychiatry, Escola Paulista de Medicina of the Federal University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. He has completed his Ph.D. and currently works in the UK.

Ingrid P. Novo

Ingrid Parra Novo graduated in medicine at the Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. She did a residency in psychiatry at the same institution and currently is undertaking a M.Sc. in Psychiatry at Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil.

Elaine Tomasi

Elaine Tomasi, M.A., graduated in Social Work at the Universidade Católica de Pelotas, Brazil. She took a Masters degree in Epidemiology at the Universidade Federal de Pelotas and works as Associate Researcher at the same institution. She is also working as a M.Sc. supervisor at Universidade Católica de Pelotas (Post-Graduation in Health and Behavior).

Anelise Alves Pereira Reisser

Anelise Alves Pereira Reisser graduated in medicine at the Universidade Católica de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. She completed her residency psychiatry and has been worked in a Drug and Alcohol Misuse Unit at Hospital Beneficiência Portuguesa de Pelotas, RS, Brazil.