A population-based study on binge drinking among elderly Brazilian men: evidence from the Belo Horizonte and Bambuí health surveys

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence and factors associated with binge drinking in two populations of older adults (≥ 60 years). METHOD: 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 (≥ 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.