A population-based study on binge drinking among elderly Brazilian men: evidence from the Belo Horizonte and Bambuí health surveys.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence and factors associated with binge drinking in two populations of older adults (> or = 60 years).


METHODS
A random sample of 685 subjects in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte (4.4 million inhabitants) and 643 subjects (92.7% from total residents) in Bambuí City (15,000 inhabitants), both in Southeast Brazil, participated in the study. The dependent variable was binge drinking (> or = 5 drinks on a single occasion in the last 30 days), and independent variables included sociodemographic characteristics, social network, health conditions and use of health services.


RESULTS
The prevalence of binge drinking was higher in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte (27.0%) than in Bambuí (13.7%). In the multivariate analysis, worse self-rated health was the only variable associated with binge drinking in both populations (Prevalence ratios [PR] 0.62; 95%CI 0.45-0.85 and 0.57; (0.40-0.83), respectively). On the other hand, two important differences were found: 1) in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, binge drinking was associated with higher school level [8+ years] (PR = 1.55; 95%CI 1.07-2.26) and functional disability (PR = 0.12); 95%CI (0.02-0.83) 2) in Bambuí, binge drinking was associated with being divorced or separated (PR = 2.49; 95%CI 1.55-3.99).


CONCLUSIONS
Among older adults, differences of prevalence and factors associated with binge drinking can be found in a same country, probably due to sociocultural influences.
Prais
Hugo A C
HA
Núcleo de Estudos em Saúde Pública e Envelhecimento, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz.
Loyola Filho
Antônio Ignácio de
AI
Firmo
Josélia O A
JO
Lima-Costa
Maria Fernanda
MF
Uchoa
Elizabeth
E
D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000506:poisoning*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D012934:Social Isolation; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000431:Ethanol