1st Pan American Conference on Alcohol Policies

Alcohol, Gender and Culture

in Peru:Preliminary epidemiological

estimates

Marina Piazza, MPH, ScD; Inés Bustamante, MPH, MSc  

Cayetano Heredia University

OutlineOutline

BackgroundBackground ObjectivesObjectives MethodsMethods Sample characteristicsSample characteristics Selected resultsSelected results Discussion and CommentsDiscussion and Comments

BACKGROUND IBACKGROUND I

From Global Status Report:From Global Status Report:

Per capita GDP is the lowest of all South and Per capita GDP is the lowest of all South and Central America countries except for Bolivia Central America countries except for Bolivia (4470 per person in 2001)(4470 per person in 2001)

Compare: Brazil = 7070Compare: Brazil = 7070

Per capita consumption also low at 5.43 L pure Per capita consumption also low at 5.43 L pure alcohol per person/yearalcohol per person/year

Has been fairly stable since the early 1960’sHas been fairly stable since the early 1960’sUnrecorded consumption about +1 LitreUnrecorded consumption about +1 Litre

Pattern = 3 out of 4 (considered hazardous)Pattern = 3 out of 4 (considered hazardous)

BACKGROUND IIBACKGROUND II

What is GENACIS in Peru?

• Gender, Alcohol, and Culture in Peru measured demographic data, alcohol consumption, and health and social outcomes

• Adults residents of Lima• 8.8 million residents (30 % of the population)

•All data collected and analyzed by faculty of Cayetano Heredia University

Objectives:Objectives:

This preliminary analysis has two aims:This preliminary analysis has two aims:

1.1. Present drinking in Peru in terms of the Present drinking in Peru in terms of the drinking status of the population and drinking status of the population and the amount of consumptionthe amount of consumption

2.2. reasons for not drinkingreasons for not drinking

METHODS I - SampleMETHODS I - Sample•Data presented = Lima only

•N = 1110

•Age = 18 to 64

•Sample taken from a multistage probability sample

•Taken from 1996 Census of Peru, uses Census tracks

•Composed of face to face interviews

•Within households of Lima

•Data presented is (unfortunately) unweighted

Sample Characteristics ISample Characteristics I%%

GenderGender MaleMale 33.933.9FemaleFemale 66.166.1

Civil StatusCivil Status MarriedMarried 34.134.1Living with a partnerLiving with a partner 25.025.0WidowedWidowed 2.02.0DivorcedDivorced 0.40.4Married but separatedMarried but separated 5.95.9Never MarriedNever Married 32.632.6

AgeAge 18-2918-29 35.135.130-3930-39 24.324.340-4940-49 20.520.550-5950-59 15.315.360-6560-65 6.86.8

Sample Characteristics ISample Characteristics I%%

EducationEducation No schoolingNo schooling 1.11.1Less than elementaryLess than elementary 6.46.4Completed elementaryCompleted elementary 6.86.8No high schoolNo high school 14.514.5Completed high schoolCompleted high school 34.834.8College or moreCollege or more 36.536.5

IncomeIncome Less then 500 solesLess then 500 soles 25.025.0$1 = 3.3 soles$1 = 3.3 soles 500 to 999 soles500 to 999 soles 49.649.6

1000 to 24991000 to 2499 21.121.12500 to 39992500 to 3999 2.32.34000 to 44994000 to 4499 1.01.05000 or more5000 or more 0.90.9

Results – Drinking StatusResults – Drinking Status

MalesMales FemalesFemales TotalTotalLifetime AbstainerLifetime Abstainer 2.72.7 7.47.4 5.85.8

Current AbstainerCurrent Abstainer 15.715.7 32.632.6 26.826.8

Current DrinkerCurrent Drinker 81.681.6 60.160.1 67.467.4

The percentage of current drinkers for Lima (67%) is higher than the The percentage of current drinkers for Lima (67%) is higher than the one observed for Mexico (58%) and USA (65%)one observed for Mexico (58%) and USA (65%)

Lima has a similar percentage of drinkers than the reported by Lima has a similar percentage of drinkers than the reported by UruguayUruguay

As compared to Uruguay, we observed a higher percentage of former As compared to Uruguay, we observed a higher percentage of former drinkers (26% vs. 19.3%) and a smaller proportion of lifetime drinkers (26% vs. 19.3%) and a smaller proportion of lifetime abstainers (5.8 vs. 12.6)abstainers (5.8 vs. 12.6)

Annual number of standard drinksAnnual number of standard drinks

BeverageBeverage MeanMean

MalesMales FemalesFemales

WineWine 9090 4242

BeerBeer 215215 6262

Distilled Spirits Distilled Spirits (whiskey/tequila)(whiskey/tequila)

100100 7474

Other spiritsOther spirits(rum, vodka, etc)(rum, vodka, etc)

230230 9595

Prepared beveragesPrepared beverages(punto g, shumir, sangria)(punto g, shumir, sangria)

207207 3636

LiquorsLiquors(curazao, licor de cacao, licor de café)

7777 4444

Other fermented beveragesOther fermented beverages(malta, chica, sidra)(malta, chica, sidra)

171171 3333

Reasons for not drinkingReasons for not drinkingGenderGender

MalesMales FemalesFemales

No occasion where I wanted to drinkNo occasion where I wanted to drink 18.718.7 28.428.4

ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities 37.337.3 36.436.4Does not interest meDoes not interest me 58.758.7 66.166.1ReligionReligion 22.722.7 15.915.9

Brought up not to drinkBrought up not to drink 8.08.0 16.216.2

Too expensiveToo expensive 28.028.0 29.729.7

Bad for your healthBad for your health 57.357.3 59.359.3I am on medicationI am on medication 13.313.3 8.68.6

I am pregnant/trying to get pregnantI am pregnant/trying to get pregnant N/AN/A 6.16.1

Do not like the tasteDo not like the taste 24.024.0 52.352.3

Bad effect on my activitiesBad effect on my activities 29.329.3 32.432.4

Would be afraid of alcoholism/Would be afraid of alcoholism/

Becoming alcoholicBecoming alcoholic

5.35.3 4.04.0

Discussion IDiscussion I

How does this data compare with How does this data compare with previous estimates?previous estimates?• From Global Status Report (2004)From Global Status Report (2004)• Abstention (2002):Abstention (2002):

16.6% (Males)16.6% (Males) 23.6% (Females)23.6% (Females) A small increase in abstention but data has A small increase in abstention but data has

limitationslimitations Consumption of spirits has been Consumption of spirits has been

decreasing, with beer on the risedecreasing, with beer on the rise

DISCUSSION II DISCUSSION II • The occurrence of alcohol use in Lima's community population reaches levels above seen in US and other countries of the region, and presents similar gender epidemiological patterns in the male-female ratio.

• Conservative first estimates: given the higher proportion of females in this sample.

• Limitations include possible under-reporting due to social desirability, as well as other widely-appreciated sources of error in this type of survey research.

• In terms of cultural differences, we look forward to see the results for the city of Ayacucho.

•Previous results show that abstention rates tend to be higher in remote regions, closer to 50%

ConclusionConclusion

• Relatively poor pattern of drinking may combine with moderate per capita consumption to create alcohol-related problems and outcomes, both social and health-related

• More analysis needed in coming months, which will be enriched by the new Ayacucho data coming in and a weighting system to better represent the Peruvian population

Nonetheless, the results of this preliminary analysis guide the republic's strategy for addressing its goals for a healthy population with respect to use of alcohol.