Incidentes viales causan al año 1,3 millones de muertes, lesiones a 50 millones y pérdida de 40 millones de años de vida saludable; según la Organización Mundial de la Salud el 25% de incidentes viales se asocian con embriaguez. METODOLOGIA:para estimar la prevalencia y caracterizar patrones de consumo de alcohol en conductores de Medellín se hizo una medición aleatoria, transversal y estratificada en enero de 2014. En 32 puestos de control se aforaron 23.856 vehículos y se detuvieron 1.611: 845 (52,4%) autos y 766 (47,6%) motos. RESULTADOS: positivo con alcoholemia de 24 a 300 mg de etanol/100 ml; 7 clasificaron en grado cero, 8 en primero, ninguno en segundo y uno en tercero; expandida a conductores de la ciudad esto equivale aproximadamente a 4.985 personas conduciendo bajo efectos del alcohol, cada día. Un tercio de conductores fue detenido antes en algún puesto de control; entre éstos, uno de cuatro en el último mes; 36% perciben alta y 26% media la probabilidad de detención. La mayoría (60%) reportó no beber y conducir, pero 19% consideró que beber un trago es compatible con conducción segura; aunque 45% afirmó nunca beber y conducir, 48% condujo bebido alguna vez en la vida, un 7% muchas veces y 25% en el último año: 26% con un trago, 13% con dos, tres o cuatro tragos y 30% con cinco o más tragos. CONCLUSION: la prevalencia y patrones identificados señalan pertinente monitorear aleatoria y sistemáticamente este comportamiento en Medellín.
Every year road incidents kill 1.3 million people, cause severe injuries to 20 million and are the reason behind the loss of 40 million years of healthy life all over the world. The World Health Organization estimates that 25% of road incidents and their effects are associated with drunkenness. METHODOLOGY: to estimate the prevalence and characterize the consumption patterns of the drivers in Medellín, a random, cross-sectional and stratified measurement was taken in January 2014. During the 32 control checks 23,856 vehicles were tested; 1,611 were arrrested. A total of 845 (52,4%) were cars, while 766 (47,6%) were motorcycles. RESULTS :of the 1,569 individuals tested for alcohol in their breath, 16 (1%) tested positive and their blood alcohol level varied from 0,24 to 3 mg of ethanol. Similarly, 7 individuals showed degree 0, 8 first degree, 0 second degree and 1 third degree. One third of the individuals had been arrested before and one in four of them had been arrested in the last month. Additionally, 36% considered they had a high probability of being arrested and 26% considered to have a moderate probability. Most drivers (60%) reported not drinking and driving, but one fifth (19%) considered that having one drink is compatible with safe driving and, even though 45% stated never drinking and driving, the other half (48%) had driven while drunk at least once in their lives. Similarly, 7% had done so several times and 25% of them did it in the last year. Finally, 26% of the individuals drove while drunk after one drink, 13% after two, three or four and remaining 30% after 5 or more drinks. CONCLUSION: the prevalence and patterns identified make evident the need to monitor and control the drink-and-drive behavior.
