Heavy episodic drinking in the Sao Paulo epidemiologic catchment area study in Brazil: Gender and sociodemographic correlates

Objective: The aims of this study were to quantify heavy episodic drinking (HED) among adults living in two middle-class boroughs in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and to estimate possible effects of gender, age, and other sociodemographic factors. Method: Data were taken from the Sao Paulo Catchment Area Study. A representative sample (N = 1,464) of the adult population living in households was assessed through Composite International Diagnostic Interview Version 1.1. The pattern of lifetime and last-12-month alcohol consumption was evaluated. HED was defined as consuming five or more drinks per drinking day for men and four or more drinks per drinking day for women. Prevalence rates and sociodemographic correlates were examined separately for men and women. Results: The overall 12-month prevalence of HED in this sample was 10.7%, with 15.4% of the men and 7.2% of the women reporting HED. Lifetime overall abstinence was 22.2%, with 32.4% of the women and 8.7% of the men being lifetime abstainers. The odds of HED among women were increased for those between 18 and 44 years of age and for those who were not married (separated divorced, widowed and never married). Among men the risk was increased for those between 18 and 24 years of age. Conclusions: HED is a common pattern of drinking in this sample, mainly in young men. Among women, HED is not confined to the younger groups. Future studies are needed to assess the impact of HED on physical health, mental health, and social functioning.