Unrecorded alcohol in Rio de Janeiro: assessing its misusers through Respondent Driven Sampling

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Substance Abuse Research
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Unrecorded alcohol constitutes a significant portion of alcohol consumption in low and middle-income countries.
• Characteristics of unrecorded alcohol consumers remain largely unknown.
• This study aimed to identify users of unrecorded alcohol and associated factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize individuals who consume unrecorded alcohol.
• To identify factors associated with frequent unrecorded alcohol use.
• To inform public health strategies and clinical interventions.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study utilizing Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2010).
• Recruitment of 343 individuals aged 18-65 reporting binge drinking in the past 12 months.
• Interviews assessed use of home-made/unrecorded, perfume/lotion, and "medicinal" unrecorded alcohol products.

Main Results:

• 303 individuals were interviewed, predominantly men from low socioeconomic strata (mean age 38.8).
• 71.8% reported using multiple types of unrecorded alcohol.
• Frequent use associated with age >31, AUDIT score >20, crack/cocaine use, and recent alcohol addiction treatment.

Conclusions:

• Unrecorded alcohol users are often disadvantaged individuals with polysubstance use patterns.
• Assessing unrecorded alcohol use is clinically significant.
• Screening for unrecorded alcohol is recommended for patients with crack/powder cocaine and alcohol dependence.