Risk factors for harmful alcohol consumption: a multilevel analysis

Abstract

Objective: to identify the prevalence of alcohol consumption patterns among Primary Health Care users and the association between risky, harmful, and probable dependence consumption patterns with sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral characteristics. Method: cross-sectional study conducted with a sample of 2,178 participants who responded to the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test in primary health care services in the city of São Paulo. Descriptive and multiple inferential statistical analysis was performed using a hierarchical Poisson regression model with a significance level of 5%. Results: of the total number of participants, 18.9% met the criteria for harmful alcohol consumption. Determinants for risky and harmful alcohol consumption were male gender (PR = 1.89; 95% CI 1.57–2.28; p < 0.001), black race/color (PR = 1.65; 95% CI 1.30 - 2.10; p < 0.001), and income ≥ 10 minimum wages (PR = 1.78; 95% CI 1.07 - 2.99; p = 0.028). For probable dependence, lower educational level (PR = 13.70; 95% CI 1.56–117.63; p = 0.017) and reporting a diagnosis of depression (PR = 2.72; 95% CI 1.37–5.41; p = 0.005) were determinants. Conclusion: the prevalence of alcohol use disorders among users of primary health care services in São Paulo was higher than that observed in previous studies, suggesting that this segment of the population seeks health care at these services, highlighting the potential for screening and early diagnosis of the population.