Use of alcohol associated with mental disorders in adult men

Background This study aimed to identify the use of alcohol in adult men and to verify the association with socioeconomic, demographic and mental disorders. Methods A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out on adults aged 20 to 59 years old in the city of Piracicaba registered in the Family Health Units (FHU) in 2018. The pattern of alcohol use was investigated in the population through the application of the AUDIT (The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) instrument. Through the modified socioeconomic questionnaire by Meneghim et al, socioeconomic and demographic factors were investigated. The brief investigation of the main mental disorders: major depressive episode and generalized anxiety disorder, was carried out with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). The sample was selected “post-hoc” considering the sample, with a significance level of 5% and test power above 80% (β = 0.20) (effect size = 0, 33). After contacting the FHU and selecting participants, the interviews were conducted over the phone in one step. The eligible sample had 227 participants. After descriptive analyzes, variables with p-value <0.20 in simple analyzes were studied in multiple negative binomial regression models (95% confidence intervals). Results There was a high prevalence of alcohol consumption, 26.9%. The AUDIT score increased with age (RM: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.99-1.03). Protestants and evangelicals had an average AUDIT score lower than other religions (RM: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.14-2.79). People with mental disorders have an average AUDIT score higher than those without disorders (RM: 2.30; 95% CI: 1.28-4.11). Conclusions It is concluded that alcohol in the adult male population was prevalent, increases with age, and religion has a protective effect. We highlight the importance of the USF in the development of strategies that investigate the conditions of its population, as well as the discussion and approach of interventions Key messages The adult male population is more vulnerable to alcohol use and its consequences. Thus, early detection and the search for associated factors is necessary to avoid possible damage to men's health. The application of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview instrument, can act preventively and with early interventions in mental disorders and in association with alcohol use.