Diagnóstico de la pevalencia y factores determinantes de alcoholismo en la población mayor de 15 años de los cantones el Pangui y Yacuambi, provincia de Zamora Chinchipe, en el periodo de marzo a agosto del año 2008"

Abstract

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to gather the largest amount of information available from the population of the cantons of El Pangui and Yacuambi, located in the province of Zamora Chinchipe, regarding the current situation of alcohol consumption among people over 15 years of age. This study was conducted to diagnose the prevalence and determinants of alcoholism in this region of the country. Data collection and analysis methods were used, including the CAGE test and structured interviews conducted by the authors. These interviews were randomly conducted with 252 people between the ages of 15 and 60 from the canton of El Pangui and 242 people between the ages of 15 and 60 from the canton of Yacuambi. The study showed that the prevalence of alcohol consumption among the population of Pangui and Yacuambi between the ages of 15 and 60 is high, corresponding to 62.3% in the Pangui canton and 55% in the Yacuambi canton. Furthermore, determinants of alcohol consumption were identified, including age between 18 and 22 years, male sex, marital status (which in the Pangui canton favors single people and in the Yacuambi canton favors married people), primary and secondary education level, and reasons for starting alcohol consumption, which include curiosity, fun, and leisure. Among the protective factors, we identified marital status as the most important, since married people consume less alcohol in the Pangui canton, while single people consume less alcohol in the Yacuambi canton. Priority is given to creating and developing alcoholism prevention programs, which should be designed based on the characteristics of this population. Implementing strategies that involve different areas such as the individual, group, family, and socio-community levels, in addition to the participation of various institutional stakeholders, the educational community at large, and technical support.