Fatores associados ao abuso e dependência de álcool em trabalhadores do transporte coletivo urbano da região metropolitana de Belo Horizonte

Abstract

Alcohol use is considered an important public health problem, with consequences for the individual and for society as a whole, including in the workplace. Occupational factors may influence the alcohol consumption. The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with alcohol abuse and dependence among urban public transport workers. In this cross-sectional study, a proportional sample of 1,607 bus drivers and conductors in three municipalities within the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte was analyzed (total population: 17,740). Out of these 1,607 participants, 46 were excluded due to lack of information regarding alcohol abuse and dependence, and thus 1,561 workers remained in the analysis. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a digital questionnaire that investigated working conditions and health. Affirmative responses to at least two questions in the CAGE questionnaire were considered to represent situations of alcohol abuse and dependence. A descriptive analysis was performed on the study population and an estimate of the prevalence of abusive alcohol consumption and dependence was obtained. Associations with the explanatory variables were investigated by means of Pearsons chi-square test. The strengths of associations between the response variable and the explanatory variables were estimated using odds ratios and CI 95%. Multivariate analysis to identify independent associations between alcohol abuse and dependence and explanatory variables was performed by means of logistic regression. The prevalence of alcohol abuse and dependence was 13.5%. Positive associations with the following were identified: lower schooling level (incomplete high school: OR 1.77 CI 95% 1.14-2.74; and elementary education: OR 1.57 CI 95% 1.10-2.26); current smoking (OR 2.12 CI 95% 1.47-3.07); non-participation in social activities (OR 1.74 CI 95% 1.21-2.48); medical diagnosis of three of more diseases (OR 1.57 CI 95% 1.01-2.42); aggression at work (OR 1.39 CI 95% 1.01-1.93); and work-related distress (OR 1.85 CI 95% 1.27-2.71). Workers who did not have children presented a lower chance of alcohol abuse and dependence than did those with children (OR 0.67 CI 95% 0.45-0.99). It would be desirable to include measures for prevention and treatment of alcohol abuse and dependence, both within the range of sectoral policies and in programs run by the bus companies, with the aim of health promotion among transport workers.