Is alcohol outlet density in the residential area associated with alcohol consumption among adolescents?

ABSTRACT: Objective: To investigate the association between the alcohol outlet density in residential areas and the current and lifetime alcohol consumption, adjusted for individual and family factors. Method: Information from a three-stage household stratified probabilistic cluster sampling survey (census tract, household, adult and adolescent), conducted in Belo Horizonte, Brazil (“Health in BH”, 2008-2009) and data of the establishments were obtained from official sources and subsequently georeferenced. The outcome was the adolescents’ report of current and lifetime alcohol consumption. The exposure variable was the alcohol outlet density, defined as the number of establishments within a 200-meter range from the adolescents’ residence. The association was estimated by Poisson regression adjusted by individual and family variables. Results: In total, 601 adolescents aged 14 to 17 years were included in this study. Of these, 53.3% were males and 71.0% lived in a family with income up to five minimum wages. The prevalence of lifetime alcohol consumption was 57.0% (95%CI 51.5 - 62.6) and the current was 11.9% (95%CI 8.7 - 15.0). The multivariate analysis showed a significant association between current alcohol consumption and density of snack bars (PR = 1.13; 95%CI 1.03 - 1.24), bars (PR = 1.21; 95CI% 1.05 - 1.38), and restaurants (PR = 1.11; 95%CI 1.02 - 1.21). Significant interactions between density of establishments with sex and age were found. Conclusion: Current alcohol consumption may be enhanced by the availability of some types of establishments located within a range of 200 meters from the adolescents’ residence.