Alcohol consumption and risk factors among the inhabitants of a suburb in Iztapalapa, Mexico City

Abstract

Introduction: Alcohol consumption is a worldwide health problem that endangers both individual and social wellbeing. It causes 2,5 million casualties a year and damages that have an impact beyond the physical and mental health of the drinkers.
Objetive: To determine alcohol consumption frequency and to assess the social and individual risk factors for the inhabitants of colonia Juan Escutia Delegación Iztapalapa.
Methodology: A descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study of 345 subjects older than 15 years old was performed in colonia Juan Escutia, Delegación Iztapalapa. Data were gathered by means of a survey that assessed social and demographic aspects and were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0.
Results: 311 people (90.2%) were found to have drunk alcohol at least once, 50.6% of which were employees. In the 61.4% of the population, the onset age had been 15-19.
Conclusions: Alcohol consumption has a high incidence in both sexes and an early onset age in the studied population. Though considered as a recreational way of escape, it is actually a public health menace because of its consequences.