The Hispanic Americans baseline alcohol survey (HABLAS): DUI rates, birthplace, and acculturation across Hispanic national groups.
OBJECTIVE
This article examines the association between birthplace, acculturation, and self-reported driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI), 12-month and lifetime DUI arrest rates among Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans, and South/Central Americans in the U.S. population.


METHODS
Using a multistage cluster sample design, 5,224 adults (18 years of age or older) were interviewed from households in five metropolitan areas of the United States: Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Houston, and Los Angeles.


RESULTS
Birthplace was not associated with DUI, 12-month DUI arrest rates, or lifetime DUI arrest rates. Mexican Americans in the medium- and high-acculturation groups were more likely to engage in DUI. A higher proportion of U.S.-born than foreign-born respondents as well as those in the high-acculturation group, irrespective of national origin, reported having been stopped by police when driving. U.S.-born Cuban Americans, Mexican Americans, and South/Central Americans thought they could consume a higher mean number of drinks before their driving is impaired compared with those who are foreign born.


CONCLUSIONS
There are considerable differences in DUI-related behavior across Hispanic national groups. U.S.-born Hispanics and those born abroad, but not those at different levels of acculturation, have equal risk of involvement with DUI.
Caetano
Raul
R
University of Texas School of Public Health, Dallas Regional Campus, 6011 Harry Hines Boulevard, Room V8.112, Dallas, Texas 75390-9128, USA. Raul.Caetano@UTSouthwestern.edu
Ramisetty-Mikler
Suhasini
S
Rodriguez
Lori A
LA
D000069:Acculturation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D001334:Automobile Driving; D003415:Crime / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012650:Self Disclosure; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology