Abstract Background and aims: Alcohol-attributable burdens of disease and social costs are a public health concern in Chile. Besides population-wide preventive policy, individual screening and brief counseling are effective ways to lower this burden. This study aims to estimate the national coverage and characteristics of healthcare provider-led alcohol quantity consumption screening (AQS) in Chile. Methods: The study included a random national household sample of 5,240 participants of the Chilean National Health Survey 2017. Estimates -in percentages with confidence intervals (CI)- were weighted by differences in selection probability and nonresponse rates. Logistic regressions were used to test differences between subgroups, adjusting by age, sex, area and region, adjusted for confounders. Results are shown as odds ratios (OR) with CI. Results: Last year, the national AQS prevalence was 30% (95% confidence interval (CI): 27.8-32.5), 31.6% (95% CI: 28.1-35.3), and 28.8% (95% CI: 25.7-31.9) for men and women respectively. The lowest prevalence was observed in 15 to 24 year old participants (25.1%, 95% CI: 19.8-31.1) and the highest (33%, 95% IC: 29.5-37.3) in the 45-64 year old population. Only age (odd rate (OR): 1.06, IC) and hepatotoxic drug use (OR: 1.45, IC) were associated to AQS in multivariable models. Conclusion: These results show that there are low rates of healthcare provider alcohol enquiry in the Chilean health system. Updated data and a more rigorous assessment of this subject are needed to aid in future public health policy design.

Resumen Antecedentes y objetivos: la carga de enfermedad y los costos asociados al consumo de alcohol son un problema de salud pública. Formas eficaces de combatir este problema son la detección individual y la consejería breve. El objetivo de este estudio es estimar y describir la cobertura nacional de consulta sobre consumo de alcohol (CCA) dirigida por profesionales de salud en Chile. Métodos: se incluyó una muestra nacional aleatoria de 5.240 participantes de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud de Chile 2017. Las estimaciones fueron ponderadas según diferencias en la probabilidad de selección y las tasas de falta de respuesta. Resultados expresados en porcentajes con intervalo de confianza (IC). Se realizaron regresiones logísticas univariadas por edad, sexo, zona y región, ajustadas por confundentes. Resultado expresado en odds ratio (OR) junto con IC. Resultados: la prevalencia nacional de CCA fue de 30% (IC 95 %: 27,8-32,5), y de 31,6 % (IC 95 %: 28,1-35,3) y 28,8 % (IC 95%: 25,7-31,9) para hombres y mujeres respectivamente. La prevalencia más baja fue en participantes de 15 a 24 años (25,1%, IC 95%: 19,8-31,1) y la más alta (33%, IC 95%: 29,5-37,3) en la población de 45 a 64 años. En los modelos de regresión, la edad (OR: 1,06; IC 95% 1,00-1,11, por diez años de aumento en la edad) y el uso de drogas hepatotóxicas (OR: 1,45; IC 95%: 1,10-1,90), fueron las únicas variables que se asociaron significativamente con mayor CCA. Conclusión: este estudio encontró bajos porcentajes de CCA en Chile. Hace falta estudiar a mayor profundidad esta problemática para la mejoría o generación de nuevas políticas.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To expose visibility of the health concerns of sexual and gender minority groups in Chile, as well as to provide a platform to advocate for policies that support the health and well-being of sexual and gender minority people in the country. METHODS The health conditions and risk factors of participants identified as sexual and gender minority were compared to those identified as cisgender heterosexual using data from the 2016-2017 National Health Survey. RESULTS Despite reporting higher self-rated health than heterosexual men, gay men had a higher risk of lifetime diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections. Compared to heterosexual women, the prevalence of depression was higher among bisexual women, who were also less likely to have been tested for HIV. Moreover, transgender participants were more likely to report depression and worse self-rated health than cisgender heterosexual participants. CONCLUSION Small sample sizes of sexual and gender minority subgroups might have obscured some differences that would have been observable in larger samples. Despite this, we found statistically significant sexual and/or gender identity differences in several health areas, especially mental, sexual, and overall health.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To expose visibility of the health concerns of sexual and gender minority groups in Chile, as well as to provide a platform to advocate for policies that support the health and well-being of sexual and gender minority people in the country. METHODS The health conditions and risk factors of participants identified as sexual and gender minority were compared to those identified as cisgender heterosexual using data from the 2016-2017 National Health Survey. RESULTS Despite reporting higher self-rated health than heterosexual men, gay men had a higher risk of lifetime diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections. Compared to heterosexual women, the prevalence of depression was higher among bisexual women, who were also less likely to have been tested for HIV. Moreover, transgender participants were more likely to report depression and worse self-rated health than cisgender heterosexual participants. CONCLUSION Small sample sizes of sexual and gender minority subgroups might have obscured some differences that would have been observable in larger samples. Despite this, we found statistically significant sexual and/or gender identity differences in several health areas, especially mental, sexual, and overall health.