Density of Alcohol-Selling Outlets and Prices Are Associated With Frequent Binge Drinking in Mexico
Abstract
Introduction
Despite the increase in the prevalence of binge alcohol use in Mexico studies focus on sociodemographic factors and little attention is paid on contextual factors. This study estimated the association between density of alcohol outlets, price of alcoholic beverages, and binge alcohol use in Mexico among the population aged 12 to 65 years old who consumed alcohol during the last 12 months.
Method
Data come from different sources for alcohol consumption; availability of bar, nightclubs, saloons and stores that sell alcohol and prices of alcoholic beverages. The researchers estimated generalized linear models for binary outcomes for the relationship between density of alcohol outlets and prices of alcoholic beverages with binge alcohol use at least once per year, at least once per month, and at least once per week controlling for sex, age, religion, household income and municipality size.
Results
- Living in areas with a high density of alcohol-selling outlets was associated with a higher risk of binge alcohol use, at least once a year (RR 1.0, 95% CI: 1.0,1.1) at least once a month (RR 1.3, 95% CI: 1.2, 1.4) and weekly (RR 1.9, 95% CI: 1.6, 2.2).
- Living in States with lower alcohol prices was marginally associated to binge alcohol use at least once a year (RR 1.0, 95% CI: 1.0, 1.1) but more strongly associated to monthly (RR 1.3, 95% CI: 1.2, 1.4) and weekly binge alcohol use (RR 1.7, 95% CI: 1.3, 1.6).
Conclusion
Along with strong fiscal policies, the implementation of spatial restrictions to the number of alcohol-selling outlets could help decrease binge alcohol use.
