INTRODUCTION: Alcohol consumption is serious public health issue. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of alcohol consumption in a southern Brazilian municipality and at investigating associated factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional population-based survey was carried out in the municipality of Rio Grande, southern Brazil, with a sample of 1,044 people, both male and female, aged 12 to 75 years. Alcohol dependence was defined according to the CAGE questionnaire, and alcohol abuse was defined as the daily consumption of at least 30 grams of alcohol for men and 24 grams for women. Potential confounding factors were controlled in the multivariate analysis (logistic regression). RESULTS: Alcohol abuse was found in 5.5% of the sample, and dependence in 2.5%. After adjusting for confounding factors, a significant association was observed between alcohol consumption and the following variables: male gender (odd ratio - OR = 6.28), smoking (OR = 5.42), and social class E (OR = 5.37). CONCLUSION: Our results revealed the difficulties involved in the performance of a population-based study to assess alcohol consumption and showed that men who smoke and come from lower-income groups have greater chances of presenting alcohol-related problems. The prevalence of alcohol abuse in Rio Grande was of 5.5%, and of alcohol dependence, of 2.5%.
Alcohol; abuse; dependence; epidemiology; cross-sectional study; primary care
