[Alcohol use and self-reported violent events in Chile]. / Consumo de alcohol y autoinforme de eventos violentos en Chile.

The objective is to examine the association between binge drinking and frequency of alcohol consumption during the last month with self-reported episodes of violence committed by people under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. We carried out a cross-sectional study that uses data from the National Survey on Drug Use on the General Population of Chile of 2010. A sample of 16,000 subjects, from 12 to 64 years of age (mean 35.8 years), representing a population of 9,536,602 individuals (49.5% men and 50.5% women) was used. The dependent variables were: being a victim of assault, aggression or sexual violence. The independent variables were: binge drinking (six or more drinks on one occasion at least once in the month) and the monthly frequency of alcohol consumption. The adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) for men reporting binge drinking (vs. negative reporting) was of 1.85 (95% CI: 1.28 to 2.66) for assault, 2.0 for aggression (1.40 to 2.66), and 1.35 for sexual violence (0.43 to 4.23). Among women, the PR was 2.08 (0.97 to 4.50), 1.61 (0.78 to 3.35) and 1.37 times (0.48 to 3.91), respectively. Regarding the frequency of alcohol use, for each day a month of alcohol consumption the PR increases significantly for aggression among men and for the three victimization variables among women. Men and women who reported frequent alcohol consumption and/or binge drinking had significantly a higher prevalence of episodes of aggression, assault or sexual violence; compared to those who did not report these consumption patterns.

Consumo de alcohol y autoinforme de eventos violentos en Chile / Alcohol use and self-reported violent events in Chile

Se estudió la asociación entre el consumo intenso y la frecuencia mensual de alcohol con el autoinforme de episodios de violencia cometido por personas bajo los efectos del alcohol u otras drogas. Se realizó un estudio transversal en el que se analizaron los datos del Estudio Nacional de Drogas en Población General de Chile del año 2010. La muestra encuestada fue de 16.000 sujetos de 12 a 64 años de edad (media de 35,8 años), que representan a una población de 9.536.602 personas (49,5% de hombres y 50,5% de mujeres). Las variables dependientes fueron: haber sido víctima de asalto, agresión o violencia sexual. Las variables independientes fueron: el consumo intenso (seis o más consumiciones en una ocasión al menos una vez en el mes) y la frecuencia mensual de consumo de alcohol. La razón de prevalencia (RP) ajustada en hombres que informan consumo intenso (vs. informes negativos) fue de 1,85 (IC95%: 1,28 a 2,66) para asalto, 2,0 (1,40 a 2,73) para agresión y 1,35 (0,43 a 4,23) para violencia sexual. En mujeres, las RP fueron 2,08 (0,97 a 4,50), 1,61 (0,78 a 3,35) y 1,37 (0,48 a 3,91), respectivamente. En relación a la frecuencia de uso de alcohol, por cada día de consumo al mes la RP aumenta significativamente para agresión en hombres y para las tres variables de victimización en mujeres. Los hombres y mujeres que informaron un consumo frecuente y/o intenso de alcohol presentaron prevalencias significativamente mayores de episodios de agresión, asalto o violencia sexual, respecto a aquellos que no informaron estos patrones de consumo

The objective is to examine the association between binge drinking and frequency of alcohol consumption during the last month with self-reported episodes of violence committed by people under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. We carried out a cross-sectional study that uses data from the National Survey on Drug Use on the General Population of Chile of 2010. A sample of 16,000 subjects, from 12 to 64 years of age (mean 35.8 years), representing a population of 9,536,602 individuals (49.5% men and 50.5% women) was used. The dependent variables were: being a victim of assault, aggression or sexual violence. The independent variables were: binge drinking (six or more drinks on one occasion at least once in the month) and the monthly frequency of alcohol consumption. The adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) for men reporting binge drinking (vs. negative reporting) was of 1.85 (95% CI: 1.28 to 2.66) for assault, 2.0 for aggression (1.40 to 2.66), and 1.35 for sexual violence (0.43 to 4.23). Among women, the PR was 2.08 (0.97 to 4.50), 1.61 (0.78 to 3.35) and 1.37 times (0.48 to 3.91), respectively. Regarding the frequency of alcohol use, for each day a month of alcohol consumption the PR increases significantly for aggression among men and for the three victimization variables among women. Men and women who reported frequent alcohol consumption and/or binge drinking had significantly a higher prevalence of episodes of aggression, assault or sexual violence; compared to those who did not report these consumption patterns