Objective: This study compared the rates of binge drinking (BD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) reported for 2006 with those reported for 2012, exploring their associations with unprotected sex, early pregnancy, and abortion in a representative sample of women in Brazilian households. Methods: This was a descriptive analysis of data from a cross-sectional study involving randomized multistage cluster sampling of the population ≥ 14 years of age. Weighted prevalence rates and odds ratios were estimated, and serial mediation analysis was performed. Results: A total of 4,256 women were analyzed. The BD prevalence was 35.1% and 47.1% in 2006 and 2012, respectively, a significant increase, especially among women 40-59 years of age. There was no significant difference in AUD prevalence. BD (without AUD) was found to increase the odds of unprotected sex and abortion. The path analysis showed that early pregnancy was a mediator of the relationship between alcohol consumption and abortion. Conclusion: Among women in Brazil, the harmful use of alcohol is increasing, which has an impact on female reproductive health and exposure to risks. There is a need for specific prevention initiatives focusing on alcohol-related behaviors in women.

Brazil has a sizable alcohol and substance use disorder (ASUD) population, yet there are considerable gaps in treatment access and retention. ASUD, a chronic medical condition, is highly comorbid with medical and behavioral health disorders. This indicates a need for more targeted interventions in order to achieve health care integration (a major goal of Brazil’s health care system). Care management – that is, the organization of patient care by an institution – is a viable strategy to engage individuals with ASUD who might benefit from treatment but are not aware of or do not use the available resources, as well as to help maintain patients in treatment. Care management is considered an essential supplement to the treatment of chronic disease. The objective of this article is to discuss the applicability of care management for the treatment of ASUD within the public health care system in Brazil. We describe models of care management that have been adopted internationally and identify the feasibility and advantages for its adoption in Brazil.

Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate nationally representative prevalence rates of amphetamine-type stimulant (ATS) use and to identify consumption-associated factors, proposing a conditional model of direct and indirect consumption paths. Method: Using data from the Second Brazilian National Alcohol and Drugs Survey, this cross-sectional study analyzed a subsample of 3,828 participants between 15 and 64 years old, gathering information on the use of psychoactive substances in a probabilistic sample of the Brazilian household population. Results: Rates of lifetime and last-year ATS use were, respectively, 4.1 and 1.6%. Economically privileged individuals and users of other substances were more at risk for using ATS. The results suggest that higher education decreases the chances of ATS consumption. The conditional model showed that higher income increased ATS use, higher education lowered the odds of such an increase, and cocaine use cancelled that associative effect. Conclusion: Brazil presents high rates of ATS use. Prevention and treatment strategies should focus on the protective effect of higher education levels and should target polydrug use. Knowledge of ATS-associated factors and user profiles is the starting point for developing effective treatments and tailored prevention strategies.

Objective: To compare intimate partner violence (IPV) prevalence rates in 2006 and 2012 in a nationally representative household sample in Brazil. The associations between IPV and substance use were also investigated. Methods: IPV was assessed using the Conflict Tactic Scale-R in two waves (2006/2012) of the Brazilian Alcohol and Drugs Survey. Weighted prevalence rates and adjusted logistic regression models were calculated. Results: Prevalence rates of IPV victimization decreased significantly, especially among women (8.8 to 6.3%). The rates of IPV perpetration also decreased significantly (10.6 to 8.4% for the overall sample and 9.2 to 6.1% in men), as well as the rates of bidirectional violence (by individuals who were simultaneously victims and perpetrators of violence) (3.2 to 2.4% for the overall sample). Alcohol increased the likelihood of being a victim (odds ratio [OR] = 1.6) and perpetrator (OR = 2.4) of IPV. Use of illicit drugs increased up to 4.5 times the likelihood of being a perpetrator. Conclusions: In spite of the significant reduction in most types of IPV between 2006 and 2012, violence perpetrated by women was not significantly reduced, and the current national rates are still high. Further, this study suggests that use of alcohol and other psychoactive drugs plays a major role in IPV. Prevention initiatives must take drug misuse into consideration.

Objective: The connection between lower alcohol use and religiousness has been extensively examined. Nevertheless, few studies have assessed how religion and religiousness influence public policies. The present study seeks to understand the influence of religious beliefs on attitudes toward alcohol use. Methods: A door-to-door, nationwide, multistage population-based survey was carried out. Self-reported religiousness, religious attendance, and attitudes toward use of alcohol policies (such as approval of public health interventions, attitudes about drinking and driving, and attitudes toward other alcohol problems and their harmful effects) were examined. Multiple logistic regression was used to control for confounders and to assess explanatory variables. Results: The sample was composed of 3,007 participants; 57.3% were female and mean age was 35.7 years. Religiousness was generally associated with more negative attitudes toward alcohol, such as limiting hours of sale (p < 0.01), not having alcohol available in corner shops (p < 0.01), prohibiting alcohol advertisements on TV (p < 0.01), raising the legal drinking age (p < 0.01), and raising taxes on alcohol (p < 0.05). Higher religious attendance was associated with less alcohol problems (OR: 0.61, 95%CI 0.40-0.91, p = 0.017), and self-reported religiousness was associated with less harmful effects of drinking (OR: 0.61, 95%CI 0.43-0.88, p = 0.009). Conclusions: Those with high levels of religiousness support more restrictive alcohol policies. These findings corroborate previous studies showing that religious people consume less alcohol and have fewer alcohol-related problems.

Objective: Depression is a highly prevalent condition and is considered a major public health issue. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms in the Brazilian population and establish their sociodemographic correlates. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2005 and April 2006. Data were collected in face-to-face interviews using a standardized questionnaire. The sample consisted of 3,007 interviews with individuals aged 14 years and older and followed a probabilistic design covering the Brazilian national territory. Depressive symptoms were assessed according to the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Results: The observed prevalence of depressive symptoms was 28.3% (13% mild/moderate; 15.3% major/severe; p < 0.01). Increased depressive symptom rates were associated with being a female, being 45 years of age and older, having lower educational attainment, being single, having family income of up to 2.5 times minimum wage, and living in the northern region of Brazil (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The prevalence of depressive symptoms in Brazil is high, with major depressive symptoms being the most frequent form of this symptomatology. Considering the biopsychosocial model of mental disorders, this survey points to the involvement of psychosocial factors in the prevalence of depressive symptoms in Brazil.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar as diferenças nos padrões de consumo de álcool entre os gêneros de acordo com as faixas etárias e avaliar os efeitos do gênero e da idade em diversos aspectos do padrão de consumo de bebidas alcoólicas. MÉTODO: Com base em amostra representativa da população brasileira (n = 3.007), nós avaliamos as diferenças nos padrões de consumo de álcool entre os gêneros. Nós também avaliamos os efeitos do gênero, da idade e da interação entre gênero e idade nas dimensões do consumo de álcool (consumo frequente, dose usual, consumo em binge e consumo frequente em binge), com uso de modelos de regressão logística e regressão binomial negativa. RESULTADOS: O gênero, a idade e a interação entre gênero e idade tiveram efeitos significantes nos modelos preditivos para todos os padrões de consumo estudados, com exceção da dose usual. O efeito do gênero ao longo das faixas etárias varia com a idade. Enquanto o gênero teve um efeito maior nas faixas etárias mais velhas, a diferença entre homens e mulheres diminuiu nas faixas etárias mais novas. CONCLUSÕES: A convergência entre os gêneros no que se refere ao uso de álcool é uma tendência que pode ser influenciada por fatores ambientais e deveria ser focada nos programas de prevenção e tratamento assim como nas políticas públicas.

OBJECTIVE: To examine sex differences in alcohol consumption according to age groups, and to assess gender and age effects on several aspects of alcohol consumption patterns. METHOD: Based on a Brazilian nationwide representative sample (n = 3,007), we analysed the differences in drinking patterns between genders. We also assessed the effects of gender, age, and gender by age interaction for alcohol consumption dimensions (frequent drinking, usual intake, binge drinking, and frequent binge drinking), using logistic and negative binomial regression models. RESULTS: Gender, age, and gender by age interaction had significant effects on the predictive models for all studied drinking patterns, except for the 'usual' dosage. The effect of gender on drinking patterns varies with age. While gender has a greater effect in older age groups, the difference between men and women decreased in the younger age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Gender convergence regarding alcohol use is a trend that might be influenced by environmental factors and should be addressed in prevention and treatment programs, as well as in public health policies.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a efetividade da entrevista motivacional breve e de uma brochura educativa quando aplicadas em prontos-socorros para reduzir o abuso e problemas relacionados ao álcool entre os jovens. MÉTODO: Um ensaio clínico randomizado simples-cego com três meses de seguimento foi realizado em três prontos-socorros de outubro de 2004 a novembro de 2005, com indivíduos de 16-25 anos tratados por eventos relacionados ao álcool com até 6 horas após o consumo. Dados sociodemográficos, quantidade, frequência e consequências negativas, motivação para mudanças de hábitos e percepção para riscos do consumo de álcool foram avaliados. A análise estatística foi realizada em indivíduos que completaram o seguimento (completados). Modelo de ANCOVA foi utilizado para analisar a diferença entre os grupos de intervenção, com nível de significância estatística α = 5% e intervalo de confiança (IC) 95%. RESULTADOS: 186 indivíduos formaram a amostra inicial, sendo n =175 incluídos e randomizados para brochura educativa (n = 88) ou grupo entrevista motivacional breve (n = 87). O seguimento de avaliação foi realizado em 85,2% da amostra. Não foi observada diferença significativa entre os grupos. No entanto, uma redução significativa (p < 0,01) em problemas relacionados eo abuso de álcool foram encontrados em ambos os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Nesta amostra, a redução do abuso de álcool e problemas relacionados foi observada. Dados preliminares indicam que os ensaios clínicos controlados com entrevista motivacional breve, brochura educativa e não-intervenção deveriam ser de futuro interesse entre a população adolescente brasileira.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of brief motivational interviewing and an educational brochure when delivered in emergency room to reduce alcohol abuse and related problems among adolescents and young adults. METHOD: a randomized single blind clinical trial with a 3 month follow-up was carried out at three emergency rooms from October 2004 to November 2005; subjects assessed were 16-25 years old treated for alcohol related events up to 6 hours after consumption. Socio-demographic data, quantity, frequency and negative consequences of alcohol consumption, motivation to change habits and future risk preception were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed on subjects who completed follow up (completers). ANCOVA model was used to analyze the difference between the intervention groups with statistical significance level α = 5% and Confidence Interval (CI) 95%. RESULTS: 186 subjects formed the initial sample, being n = 175 included and randomized to educational brochure group (n = 88) or motivational interviewing group (n = 87). Follow-up assessment was performed in 85.2% sample. No significant difference between groups was observed. However, significant reductions (p < 0.01) in related problems and alcohol abuse were found in both groups. CONCLUSION: In this sample a reduction of alcohol use and related problems was observed. Preliminary data indicates that controlled clinical trials with motivational interviewing, educational brochure and nonintervention should be of future interest among Brazilian adolescent population.

OBJETIVO: A literatura científica mais recente aponta que a publicidade de bebidas alcoólicas influencia o comportamento, particularmente o consumo precoce e em grandes quantidades por crianças e adolescentes. Da perspectiva da saúde pública, a publicidade de bebidas alcoólicas deve ser restringida. Em muitos países, assim como no Brasil, os limites são estabelecidos pela autorregulamentação (ou seja, controlados pela própria comunidade publicitária). Analisou-se na presente revisão o conjunto dos trabalhos publicados na literatura internacional sobre este tipo de controle. MÉTODO: Realizou-se uma revisão bibliográfica sistemática de trabalhos que investigaram a eficácia da autorregulamentação da publicidade de bebidas alcoólicas. A busca foi feita nas bases de dados Medline, SciELO, Camy e Google Scholar, entre 1991 e 2010, bem como pela técnica de "bola de neve" para a indicação dos principais autores no tema. Foram considerados para o presente propósito 11 artigos. DISCUSSÃO: O conjunto dos trabalhos obtidos aponta que a autorregulamentação da publicidade de bebidas alcoólicas é pouco eficaz, não cumprindo com os objetivos de evitar, por exemplo, publicidade direcionada às crianças e adolescentes. CONCLUSÃO: Outras medidas devem ser consideradas para o controle e a veiculação das propagandas de bebidas alcoólicas, tais como monitoramento independente e controle legal.

OBJECTIVE: The most recent scientific literature indicates that alcohol advertising influences behavior, particularly early and higher alcohol consumption by children and adolescents. From a public health perspective, alcohol advertising should be restricted. In many countries, as well as in Brazil, limits to alcohol advertising are established by industry self-regulation (e.g. controlled by the advertising community itself). We examined in this review all papers on the subject of industry self-regulation of alcohol advertising published in the international literature. METHOD: A systematic literature review was realized on papers investigating the effectiveness of self-regulation of alcohol advertisings. The search was conducted in Medline, SciELO, Camy and Google Scholar, between the years of 1991 and 2010. In addition, the "snowball" technique for the indication of the main authors on the subject was employed. From the papers found, 11 focused on the subject discussed here. DISCUSSION: The set of papers obtained indicates that industry self-regulation of alcohol advertising does not show evidence of efficacy. In other words, such a regulation does not prevent, for instance, alcohol advertising directed at children and adolescents. CONCLUSION: Further measures should be considered for the control and the broadcast of alcohol advertising, such as independent monitoring, legal control.

OBJETIVO: Analisar a associação entre propaganda de álcool e o consumo de cerveja por adolescentes. MÉTODOS: Foram entrevistados 1.115 estudantes de 7º e 8º anos de três escolas públicas de São Bernardo do Campo, SP, em 2006. As variáveis independentes foram: atenção prestada às propagandas de álcool, crença na veracidade das propagandas, resposta afetiva às propagandas, uso prévio de cigarro, entre outras. A variável dependente foi consumo de cerveja nos últimos 30 dias. Análises de regressões logísticas univariada e múltipla foram realizadas. Idade, importância dada à religião e ter banheiro em casa foram utilizadas como controle. RESULTADOS: O consumo de cerveja nos últimos 30 dias esteve associado ao uso de cigarro (OR = 4,551), ter uma marca preferida de bebida alcoólica (OR = 5,150), não ser monitorado pelos pais (OR = 2,139), achar que as festas que freqüentam parecem-se com as de comerciais (OR = 1,712), prestar muita atenção aos comerciais (OR = 1,563) e acreditar que os comerciais falam a verdade (OR = 2,122). Essa associação manteve-se mesmo na presença de outras variáveis associadas ao seu consumo. CONCLUSÕES: As propagandas de bebidas alcoólicas associam-se positivamente ao consumo recente de cerveja, por remetem os adolescentes à própria realidade ou por fazê-los acreditar em sua veracidade. Limitar a veiculação de propagandas de bebidas alcoólicas pode ser um dos caminhos para a prevenção do uso e abuso de álcool por adolescentes.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between alcohol advertising and beer drinking among adolescents. METHODS: A total of 1,115 students enrolled in the 7th and 8th grades of three public schools in São Bernardo do Campo, Southeastern Brazil, were interviewed in 2006. The independent variables were as follows: attention paid to alcohol advertisements, belief in the veracity of advertisements, affective response to advertisements and previous tobacco use, among others. The dependent variable was beer drinking in the last 30 days. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were made. Age, importance given to religion and the presence of a bathroom in the home were used as control. RESULTS: Beer drinking in the last 30 days was associated with tobacco use (OR = 4.551), having a favorite alcoholic beverage brand (OR = 5.150), poor parental supervision (OR = 2.139), considering parties one goes to as similar to those seen in commercials (OR = 1.712), paying more attention to advertisements (OR = 1.563) and believing that advertisements tell the truth (OR = 2.122). This association remained, even in the presence of other variables associated with beer drinking. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol advertisements are positively associated with recent beer drinking, because they remind adolescents of their own reality or make them believe in their veracity. Alcohol advertisement restrictions can be one way to prevent alcohol use and abuse by adolescents.

OBJETIVO: Analizar la asociación entre propaganda de alcohol y el consumo de cerveza por adolescentes. MÉTODOS: Se entrevistaron 1.115 estudiantes de 6ª y 7ª series de tres escuelas públicas de Sao Bernardo do Campo, Sureste de Brasil, en 2006. Las variables independientes fueron: atención prestada a las propagandas de alcohol, creencia en la veracidad de las propagandas, respuesta afectiva a las propagandas, uso previo de cigarro, entre otras. La variable dependiente fue consumo de cerveza en los últimos 30 días. Análisis de regresión logísticas univariada y múltiple fueron realizadas. Edad, importancia debido a la religión y tener baño en casa fueron utilizadas como control. RESULTADOS: El consumo de cerveza en los últimos 30 días estuvo asociado al uso de cigarro (OR=4,551), tener una marca preferida de bebida alcohólica (OR=5,150), no ser monitoreado por los padres (OR=2,139), pensar que las fiestas que frecuentan se parecen con las de comerciales (OR=1,712), prestar mucha atención a los comerciales (OR=1,563) y creer que los comerciales dicen la verdad (OR=2,122). Esa asociación se mantuvo aún en presencia de otras variables asociadas al consumo. CONCLUSIONES: Las propagandas de bebidas alcohólicas se asocian positivamente al consumo reciente de cerveza; por remitir a los adolescentes a la propia realidad o por hacerlos creer en su veracidad. Limitar la circulación de propagandas de bebidas alcohólicas puede ser uno de los caminos para la prevención del uso y abuso de alcohol por adolescentes.

OBJETIVO: Analisar a associação entre propaganda de álcool e o consumo de cerveja por adolescentes. MÉTODOS: Foram entrevistados 1.115 estudantes de 7º e 8º anos de três escolas públicas de São Bernardo do Campo, SP, em 2006. As variáveis independentes foram: atenção prestada às propagandas de álcool, crença na veracidade das propagandas, resposta afetiva às propagandas, uso prévio de cigarro, entre outras. A variável dependente foi consumo de cerveja nos últimos 30 dias. Análises de regressões logísticas univariada e múltipla foram realizadas. Idade, importância dada à religião e ter banheiro em casa foram utilizadas como controle. RESULTADOS: O consumo de cerveja nos últimos 30 dias esteve associado ao uso de cigarro (OR = 4,551), ter uma marca preferida de bebida alcoólica (OR = 5,150), não ser monitorado pelos pais (OR = 2,139), achar que as festas que freqüentam parecem-se com as de comerciais (OR = 1,712), prestar muita atenção aos comerciais (OR = 1,563) e acreditar que os comerciais falam a verdade (OR = 2,122). Essa associação manteve-se mesmo na presença de outras variáveis associadas ao seu consumo. CONCLUSÕES: As propagandas de bebidas alcoólicas associam-se positivamente ao consumo recente de cerveja, por remetem os adolescentes à própria realidade ou por fazê-los acreditar em sua veracidade. Limitar a veiculação de propagandas de bebidas alcoólicas pode ser um dos caminhos para a prevenção do uso e abuso de álcool por adolescentes.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between alcohol advertising and beer drinking among adolescents. METHODS: A total of 1,115 students enrolled in the 7th and 8th grades of three public schools in São Bernardo do Campo, Southeastern Brazil, were interviewed in 2006. The independent variables were as follows: attention paid to alcohol advertisements, belief in the veracity of advertisements, affective response to advertisements and previous tobacco use, among others. The dependent variable was beer drinking in the last 30 days. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were made. Age, importance given to religion and the presence of a bathroom in the home were used as control. RESULTS: Beer drinking in the last 30 days was associated with tobacco use (OR = 4.551), having a favorite alcoholic beverage brand (OR = 5.150), poor parental supervision (OR = 2.139), considering parties one goes to as similar to those seen in commercials (OR = 1.712), paying more attention to advertisements (OR = 1.563) and believing that advertisements tell the truth (OR = 2.122). This association remained, even in the presence of other variables associated with beer drinking. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol advertisements are positively associated with recent beer drinking, because they remind adolescents of their own reality or make them believe in their veracity. Alcohol advertisement restrictions can be one way to prevent alcohol use and abuse by adolescents.

OBJETIVO: Analizar la asociación entre propaganda de alcohol y el consumo de cerveza por adolescentes. MÉTODOS: Se entrevistaron 1.115 estudiantes de 6ª y 7ª series de tres escuelas públicas de Sao Bernardo do Campo, Sureste de Brasil, en 2006. Las variables independientes fueron: atención prestada a las propagandas de alcohol, creencia en la veracidad de las propagandas, respuesta afectiva a las propagandas, uso previo de cigarro, entre otras. La variable dependiente fue consumo de cerveza en los últimos 30 días. Análisis de regresión logísticas univariada y múltiple fueron realizadas. Edad, importancia debido a la religión y tener baño en casa fueron utilizadas como control. RESULTADOS: El consumo de cerveza en los últimos 30 días estuvo asociado al uso de cigarro (OR=4,551), tener una marca preferida de bebida alcohólica (OR=5,150), no ser monitoreado por los padres (OR=2,139), pensar que las fiestas que frecuentan se parecen con las de comerciales (OR=1,712), prestar mucha atención a los comerciales (OR=1,563) y creer que los comerciales dicen la verdad (OR=2,122). Esa asociación se mantuvo aún en presencia de otras variables asociadas al consumo. CONCLUSIONES: Las propagandas de bebidas alcohólicas se asocian positivamente al consumo reciente de cerveza; por remitir a los adolescentes a la propia realidad o por hacerlos creer en su veracidad. Limitar la circulación de propagandas de bebidas alcohólicas puede ser uno de los caminos para la prevención del uso y abuso de alcohol por adolescentes.

OBJETIVO: Apresentar os padrões de consumo de bebidas alcoólicas entre a população adulta brasileira. MÉTODO: Amostra de 2.346 indivíduos, cuidadosamente selecionada da população brasileira com 18 anos ou mais. Amostra selecionada em todo o território brasileiro, por meio de procedimento probabilístico em múltiplos estágios. As entrevistas, realizadas nas residências, ocorreram entre novembro de 2005 e abril de 2006. RESULTADOS: 48% da amostra relataram não haver bebido no último ano e esse índice variou de acordo com sexo, idade, estado civil, nível educacional e de renda e região do país. Entre aqueles que bebiam, 29% consumiam usualmente cinco ou mais doses por ocasião (38% entre os homens). Fatores sociodemográficos foram relevantes em relação a todas as variáveis de consumo estudadas: frequência, quantidade, problemas, abuso e dependência. Na amostra total, incluindo os não-bebedores, 28% beberam em binge, 25% relataram ao menos um tipo de problema relacionado ao consumo, 3% preencheram critério para abuso e 9% para dependência. DISCUSSÃO: O grau de abstinência da população brasileira é alto. No entanto, os bebedores apresentam elevado nível de consumo de risco. A prevalência de problemas relacionados ao consumo, abuso e dependência de álcool também é significativa. Políticas públicas nacionais devem levar em conta esses fatores assim como as diferenças regionais.

OBJECTIVE: To describe patterns of alcohol consumption in the adult Brazilian population. METHOD: Multicluster random sample of 2,346 subjects 18 years of age or older, selected nationwide. Interviews were conducted in respondents' homes between November 2005 and April 2006. RESULTS: About 48% of the sample had not drunk alcoholic beverages in the past year, with variations by gender, age, marital status, education, income and region of the country. Among drinkers, 29% reported drinking 5 or more drinks per occasion (men, 38%). Sociodemographic variables are associated with the frequency and amount of drinking, alcohol problems, and alcohol abuse and dependence. Among the whole sample (including drinkers and non drinkers), 28% reported binge drinking, 25% reported at least one kind of alcohol related problem, 3% were alcohol abusers and another 9% were alcohol dependent. DISCUSSION: Abstinence is high in the Brazilian population. However, elevated proportions of those who drink consume alcohol in a high risk pattern (binge-drinking), report a high level of alcohol problems, alcohol abuse and dependence. National public policies must consider these factors, as well as the regional Brazilian differences.

OBJETIVO: Apresentar um panorama nacional sobre o padrão de consumo de bebidas alcoólicas entre adolescentes no Brasil. MÉTODO: Amostra rigorosamente selecionada em procedimento probabilístico em múltiplos estágios em todo o território brasileiro, de novembro de 2005 a abril de 2006, representando um perfil da população adolescente brasileira, composta por 661 sujeitos entre 14-17 anos. RESULTADOS: 34% dos adolescentes brasileiros bebem. A idade média de início da experimentação de bebidas alcoólicas foi de 14 anos. Adolescentes mais velhos, habitando a região Sul, que não estudam, que trabalham, de cor negra e que têm rendimento próprio apresentaram maior frequência de consumo. A quantidade usual consumida varia de acordo com sexo, classe social, renda familiar e o fato de estudar ou não. Os jovens do sexo masculino se destacam por apresentarem um percentual bem maior do beber em binge quando comparados com as jovens e mais da metade dos adolescentes do sexo masculino que bebem o fizeram em binge em pelo menos em uma ocasião. Aproximadamente metade das doses consumidas por adolescentes é de cerveja ou chope. Com relação aos gêneros, não foi detectada diferença significativa entre tipos de bebida. DISCUSSÃO: O consumo de altas doses é frequente entre os adolescentes. Os padrões de consumo dos adolescentes apresentam variações em relação a região, estrato social, rendimentos próprios e idade. Os achados têm importância para o estabelecimento de políticas nacionais.

OBJECTIVE: To describe patterns of alcohol consumption by adolescents in Brazil. METHOD: From November 2005 to April 2006, a sample composed of 661 subjects aged between 14 to 17 years was rigorously selected in Brazil using a multistage probabilistic method to represent the profile of the adolescent Brazilian population. RESULTS: 34% of Brazilian adolescents drink alcoholic beverages. The mean age of drinking initiation was 14 years of age. Older adolescents, as well as those living in the southern part of Brazil, those who are not attending school and those who are working, and black individuals and those with personal income reported a higher frequency of drinking. Socio-demographic factors such as gender, income bracket, family income and student status do increase the amount of alcohol consumed. Males report a higher frequency of binge drinking than females. Moreover, more than half of the males that had drunk in the previous year reported having engaged in binge drinking on at least one occasion. Beer represents approximately half of all the drinks consumed by adolescents. There was no significant difference between genders in the kind of alcohol consumed. DISCUSSION: Among adolescents who drink, the consumption of several drinks is frequent. Alcohol consumption varies from region to region, social economic status (including self-generated income) and age. These findings are discussed in light of their importance for the development of alcohol prevention policies in Brazil.