OBJETIVE: To investigate alcohol abuse and dependence in adults aged 20-59 years, in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, according to demographic and socio-economic characteristics. METHODS: Cross-sectional household survey carried out in four areas of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. The CAGE questionnaire was used to investigate alcohol dependence. Alcohol abuse was defined as daily consumption of at least 30 grams of alcohol for men and 24 grams for women. Bivariate and multivariate Poisson regression analyses were performed to detect associations and high-risk groups. All analyses were stratified by gender. RESULTS: 1,646 adults were interviewed. The prevalence of alcohol abuse was 52.9% among men and 26.8% in women. With a CAGE cutoff point > 2, alcohol dependence was found in 14.8% of male drinkers and 5.4% of female drinkers. These proportions correspond to a population prevalence of alcohol addiction of 10.4% in men and 2.6% in women. With regard to alcohol abuse, in men, it was negatively associated with age and directly associated with schooling and smoking. In women, alcohol abuse was also associated with schooling and smoking, and with living without a partner. In men, a significant association was found between alcohol dependence and lower schooling levels. Unemployment was also significantly associated with alcohol dependence in men. No overall association was found in alcohol dependence in women. CONCLUSIONS: Our data revealed high prevalences of alcohol abuse and dependence. The association of alcohol abuse with higher schooling and the finding of alcohol dependence among unemployed men suggest elements for intervention and control policies.
Alcohol abuse; Alcohol dependence; Adults; Health surveys
