Characteristics of problem drinking in an urban South American indigenous population

Prevalence of Alcohol Problem Drinking Among the Indigenous Population in Colombia

BACKGROUND

Some studies have reported a high prevalence of alcohol drinking problem among indigenous populations in Latin America. However, there is no available information on some of the variables associated with alcohol problem drinking.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence and some factors associated with alcohol problem drinking among a sample of Colombian indigenous population in Bogotá, Colombia.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study was conducted using a Colombian indigenous population sample over 15 years old living in the community. Alcohol problem drinking was quantified with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) (Cut-off point of 8). Non conditional logistic regression was computed to adjust associated variables.

RESULTS

A total of 184 subjects from the indigenous population participated in this research. The mean age was 32.0±14.0 years and educated for 6.0±3.7 years. A total of 84 participants (45.7%) reported alcohol problem drinking. The AUDIT showed Cronbach alpha of 0.877. Male sex (OR=4.2; 95%CI, 2.2-7.6), and longer time living in Bogota (OR=1.8; 95%CI, 1.0-3.2) were associated with alcohol problem drinking.

CONCLUSIONS

Almost 50% of the Colombian indigenous population living in Bogota meet criteria for alcohol problem drinking. Male gender and longer time living in Bogota are related to alcohol problem drinking. Further studies are needed to formally identify alcohol abuse or dependence.

Association of contextual factors with drug use and binge drinking among White, Native American, and Mixed-Race adolescents in the general population

Large-scale surveys have shown elevated risk for many indicators of substance abuse among Native American and Mixed-Race adolescents compared to other minority groups in the United States. This study examined underlying contextual factors associated with substance abuse among a nationally representative sample of White, Native American, and Mixed-Race adolescents 12-17 years of age, using combined datasets from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH 2006-2009, N = 46,675, 48.77 % female). Native American adolescents displayed the highest rate of past-month binge drinking and past-year illicit drug use (14.06 and 30.91 %, respectively). Results of a logistic regression that included seven predictors of social bonding, individual views of substance use, and delinquent peer affiliations showed that friendships with delinquent peers and negative views of substance use were associated significantly with both substance abuse outcomes among White and Mixed-Race adolescents and, to a lesser extent, Native American adolescents. The association of parental disapproval with binge drinking was stronger for White than for Native American adolescents. Greater attention to specific measures reflecting racial groups' contextual and historical differences may be needed to delineate mechanisms that discourage substance abuse among at-risk minority adolescent populations.