Alcohol Drinking Patterns by Gender, Ethnicity, and Social Class in Bahia, Brazil - Study Abstract and Key Findings

Sep 8, 2026

Objective: examine patterns of alcohol consumption and the prevalence of high-risk drinking across gender, ethnicity, and social class in Bahia, Brazil. Methods: household survey of 2,302 adults in Salvador; high-risk drinking defined via daily/weekly binge drinking, drunkenness episodes, and frequent drunkenness with any alcohol use. Results: 56% reported alcohol use; high-risk drinking prevalence was 7%, about six times higher among males than females, with higher odds linked to education and social class. Conclusions: social and cultural factors shape local alcohol-drinking behavior, and further long-term research is needed.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

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Pages11

Reading Time28 min

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Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keywords

Alcohol drinking patterns by gender, ethnicity, and social class in Bahia, Brazil Citation Almeida-Filho, Naomar, Ines Lessa, Lucélia Magalhães, Maria Jenny Araújo, Estela Aquino, Ichiro Kawachi, and Sherman A James. 2004.“Alcohol Drinking Patterns by Gender, Ethnicity, and Social Class in Bahia, Brazil.” Revista de Saúde Pública 38 (1): 45–54. [https://doi.org/10.1590/s0034-89102004000100007](https://doi.org/10.1590/s0034-89102004000100007) . Published version [https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102004000100007](https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102004000100007) Link [http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:41288270](http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:41288270) Terms of use Metadata Only Accessibility [https://accessibility.huit.harvard.edu/digital-accessibility-policy](https://accessibility.huit.harvard.edu/digital-accessibility-policy) Share Your Story The Harvard community has made this article openly available. Please share how this access benefits you. Submit a story Rev Saúde Pública 2004;38(1):45-54 45 [www.fsp.usp.br/rsp](www.fsp.usp.br/rsp) Alcohol drinking patterns by gender, ethnicity, and social class in Bahia, Brazil Determinantes sociais e padrões de consumode álcool na Bahia, Brasil Naomar Almeida-Filhoa,b, Ines Lessaa, Lucélia Magalhãesa, Maria Jenny Araújoa, Estela Aquinoa, Ichiro Kawachiband Sherman AJamesc aInstituto de Saúde Coletiva da Universidade Federal da Bahia. Salvador, BA, Brasil. b Center for Society and Health and Department of Health and Social Behavior, Harvard School of Public Health. Boston, MA, USA. c Center for Research on Ethnicity, Culture and Health and Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health. Ann Arbor, MI, USA | Keywords
Alcohol consumption. Alcoholism. High-risk drinking. Social determinants. Gender. Ethnicity. | Abstract
Objective
To study patterns of alcohol consumption and prevalence of high-risk drinking.
Methods
A household survey was carried out in a sample of 2,302 adults in Salvador, Brazil. Cases of High-Risk Drinking (HRD) were defined as those subjects who referred daily or weekly binge drinking plus episodes of drunkenness and those who reported any use of alcoholic beverages but with frequent drunkenness (at least once a week) .
Results
Fifty-six per cent of the sample acknowledged drinking alcoholic beverages. Overall consumption was significantly related with gender (male), marital status (single), migration (non-migrant), better educated (college level), and social class (upper). No significant differences were found regarding ethnicity, except for cachaça (Brazilian sugarcane liquor) and other distilled beverages. Overall 12-month prevalence of highrisk drinking was 7%, six times more prevalent among males than females (almost 13% compared to 2.4%). A positive association of HRD prevalence with education and social class was found. No overall relationship was found between ethnicity and HRD. Male gender and higher socioeconomic status were associated with increased odds of HRD. Two-way stratified analyses yielded consistent gender effects throughout all strata of independent variables.
Conclusions
The findings suggest that social and cultural elements determine local patterns of alcohol-drinking behavior. Additional research on long-term and differential effects of gender, ethnicity, and social class on alcohol use and misuse is needed in order to explain their role as sources of social health inequities. | | --- | --- | | Descritores
Consumo de álcool. Alcoolismo. Comportamento de risco. Determinantes sociais. Gênero. Etnicidade. | Resumo
Objetivos
Investigar padrões de consumo de álcool e prevalência de consumo de alto risco.
Métodos
Inquérito domiciliar realizadono municípiode Salvador, Bahia, com amostrade 2.302 adultos. Casos deconsumo dealtoriscoforam definidos como sujeitos que referiramusodiário ousemanal maisepisódios deembriaguez, alé

FAQs

What was the objective of the study on alcohol use in Bahia?

The study aimed to examine patterns of alcohol consumption and the prevalence of high-risk drinking by gender, ethnicity, and social class in Bahia, Brazil.

How did the study define high-risk drinking (HRD)?

HRD included subjects reporting daily or weekly binge drinking plus episodes of drunkenness, and those reporting any alcohol use with frequent drunkenness (at least once a week).

Which factors were associated with higher odds of HRD?

Male gender and higher socioeconomic status were associated with increased odds of HRD, and HRD prevalence showed a positive association with education and social class. No overall relationship was found between ethnicity and HRD.

Sep 8, 2026

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