Panorama do consumo abusivo de álcool em Maceió e demais capitais brasileiras, série histórica 2007-2021

Abstract

Introduction: Alcohol, a psychoactive drug with properties capable of generating dependence, has been used by different cultures around the world over the centuries. Alcohol consumption is harmful to health and has a significant social and economic impact on society. However, its consumption in different scenarios, especially in social celebrations, is popularly accepted. This collective acceptance reinforces the participation of alcohol in social events, and carries with it the risk of more frequent consumption, a practice that, when not managed, can lead to numerous complications for the individual and society. Therefore, the Ministry of Health established the Surveillance of Risk Factors and Protection for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey (VIGITEL), with the aim of updating the frequency and distribution of the main indicators regarding the burden of chronic diseases and their risk factors and associated protection. Objective: To describe the percentage and temporal trend of abusive consumption of alcoholic beverages, according to gender, age and education, among adults in Maceió and in the group of Brazilian capitals, extracted from the VIGITEL report from 2007 to 2021. Methodology: Treat based on a time series analysis, calculated through the relative percentage variation of people who reported consuming alcohol abusively, during the years 2007 to 2021, according to reports from the VIGITEL in the period between 2007 and 2021. Methodology: This is a time series analysis, calculated through the relative percentage variation of people who reported consuming alcohol abusively, during the years 2007 to 2021, according to VIGITEL reports in the period between 2007 to 2021. Results: Throughout the historical series in which abusive alcohol consumption was studied, the population of the city of Maceió shows a decrease in consumption, from 18.9% in 2007 to 13.1% in 2021. Men appear as the biggest abusive consumers in all years, even showing a decrease between the years observed (29.9% to 19%). The age group that showed the highest abusive consumption was among the population aged 25 to 34 (27.3% to 20.8% between 2007 and 2021, respectively). Regarding education, the highest prevalence of this condition was found among people with 12 years or more of education (18.4% in 2007 to 16.5% in 2021), reaching its highest percentage in 2009 (25.5% %). A decrease in prevalence was noted from 2013 onwards, after changes to the Dry Law, making it stricter, with zero tolerance to alcohol and greater penalties, thus reducing the risk of traffic accidents. Conclusion: A reduction in alcohol abuse was observed in Maceió over the years. However, differences between capitals and the persistence of higher rates among different groups point to the continued need for specific strategies, aimed at regional and gender differences.