Alcohol consumption patterns and associated factors among primary health care users in a brazilian municipality
1
Medical Graduation, Higher School of Sciences of the Santa Casa de Misericórdia of Vitória - EMESCAM, Vitória, Brazil
2
Postgraduate Program in Public Health, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1534
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Alcohol consumption is a risk factor for several chronic diseases and adverse social outcomes. In Primary Health Care (PHC), understanding alcohol consumption patterns and the profile of individuals who consume alcohol is essential to support health promotion and harm prevention strategies.
METHODS:
This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative study conducted with users aged over 17 years of age attended at Unidades Básicas de Saúde - UBSs (Basic Health Centers) in the city of Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil. Data collection took place between September 2024 and September 2025 using a structured questionnaire based on validated instruments, including items from the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM® SPSS software, version 31, applying descriptive statistics and the chi-square test to analyze associations, with a significance level set at 5%.
RESULTS:
Among the 641 participants, 37.7% reported current alcohol consumption and 18.9% reported being former drinkers.The most commonly consumed beverage was beer or draft beer (25.7%), followed by wine (7.8%) and distilled spirits (5.5%). Regarding frequency, consumption two to four times per month was the most prevalent (42.7%), although a relevant proportion reported weekly or more frequent intake (19.9%). In terms of quantity, 36% consumed between two and five drinks per occasion, and 34.7% reported consuming more than five drinks. Alcohol use showed a significant association with male sex, ages 18-44 years, single individuals, and higher education.
CONCLUSIONS:
Alcohol consumption was frequent among PHC users in Vitória, with patterns that may represent health risks. The higher prevalence among young, single men and individuals with higher educational levels highlights the need for targeted preventive strategies and for strengthening early identification and brief counseling within PHC.
Alcohol consumption is a risk factor for several chronic diseases and adverse social outcomes. In Primary Health Care (PHC), understanding alcohol consumption patterns and the profile of individuals who consume alcohol is essential to support health promotion and harm prevention strategies.
METHODS:
This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative study conducted with users aged over 17 years of age attended at Unidades Básicas de Saúde - UBSs (Basic Health Centers) in the city of Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil. Data collection took place between September 2024 and September 2025 using a structured questionnaire based on validated instruments, including items from the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM® SPSS software, version 31, applying descriptive statistics and the chi-square test to analyze associations, with a significance level set at 5%.
RESULTS:
Among the 641 participants, 37.7% reported current alcohol consumption and 18.9% reported being former drinkers.The most commonly consumed beverage was beer or draft beer (25.7%), followed by wine (7.8%) and distilled spirits (5.5%). Regarding frequency, consumption two to four times per month was the most prevalent (42.7%), although a relevant proportion reported weekly or more frequent intake (19.9%). In terms of quantity, 36% consumed between two and five drinks per occasion, and 34.7% reported consuming more than five drinks. Alcohol use showed a significant association with male sex, ages 18-44 years, single individuals, and higher education.
CONCLUSIONS:
Alcohol consumption was frequent among PHC users in Vitória, with patterns that may represent health risks. The higher prevalence among young, single men and individuals with higher educational levels highlights the need for targeted preventive strategies and for strengthening early identification and brief counseling within PHC.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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