Use of Alcohol Mixed with Energy Drinks Increases the Prevalence of Driving Violations among Brazilian Truck Drivers.

Background: The use of alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED) has been reported to be associated with a variety of unsafe driving practices. Truck drivers are vulnerable to driving violations, particularly because of their engagement in drug use. The use of AmED among these professionals remains unknown. Aim: To estimate the prevalence of AmED use and its association with driving violations among truck drivers. Methods: 684 drivers were recruited in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The use of drugs was reported. Drivers were split into three groups: (a) alcohol abstainers (AA); (b) alcohol-only users (AO); and (c) users of AmED. Intergroup comparisons were performed by polynomial logistic regression (the reference category was AO). We also performed Poisson regression analysis to obtain the prevalence ratio; the significance level was stipulated at 5%. Results: The prevalence of drivers reporting the use of AmED was 16.8%. Users of AmED (a) were younger, (b) were less experienced drivers, (c) had a heavier pattern of alcohol use, (d) used illicit drugs more frequently, and (e) had poorer sleep quality than AO subjects. A higher prevalence of drivers who had arguments or fights while driving (PR = 1.71) and of drivers who drove unbelted (PR = 1.66) ingested AmED than of AO subjects. Conclusions/importance: The use of AmED increased the prevalence of driving violations beyond the risks commonly attributed to alcohol use. We suggest additional investments in preventative measures based on the beverage category and a revision of the work organization of truck drivers to reduce their health and social risks.

Efeitos do consumo de álcool combinado a bebidas energéticas (AmED) entre motoristas de caminhão no Estado de São Paulo: uma combinação de risco / Influence of AmED consumption on traffic risk behaviors among truck drivers of the State of São Paulo: combination of risks

INTRODUÇÃO O consumo de álcool combinado com bebidas energéticas (AmED) tem se mostrado associado tanto a um padrão pesado de ingestão de bebidas alcoólicas, quanto a comportamentos de risco no trânsito (CRTs) entre jovens adultos. Devido ao grave impacto causado pelas incapacidades e mortes no trânsito serem decorrentes de comportamentos previsíveis e em grande parte evitáveis, o presente estudo procura investigar a influência do consumo de AmED sobre os comportamentos de risco no trânsito entre os motoristas de caminhão. MÉTODOS Dados de uma amostra de profissionais que trafegavam pelas rodovias do Estado de São Paulo entre junho de 2012 e setembro de 2013 (N=535) foram separados em três grupos: (a) os que afirmaram ingerir AmED (n=90), (b) que relataram consumir apenas bebidas alcoólicas (n=326) e (c) o restante da amostra (n=445). Análises bivariadas foram realizadas com os relatos positivos nos últimos 12 meses que antecederam a pesquisa. O nível de significância foi estipulado para um alfa de 5% e, posteriormente, a analise múltipla utilizou a regressão logística. RESULTADOS Comparando os condutores que ingeriram AmED com os que consumiram apenas bebidas alcoólicas, os primeiros tiveram mais chances de possuir idades entre 20 e 24 anos (OR=3,3), de trabalhar como profissional a menos de 5 anos (OR=2,5), apresentaram maiores riscos de dirigir sem cinto de segurança (OR=2,2), em alta velocidade (OR=1,9), ter brigado ou discutido no trânsito (OR=2,1), ter consumido bebidas alcoólicas em um padrão pesado (OR=3,4), bebendo mais doses alcoólicas por ocasião (mediana 5 vs 2 doses, p < 0,008); em maior frequência (OR=1,9), bebendo mais frequentemente no padrão binge drinking (OR=2,3) e consumindo drogas ilícitas em maior frequência (OR=2,3), além de maiores chances de apresentar uma qualidade de sono ruim (OR=1,7). Comparados ao restante da amostra, observou-se que os motoristas de caminhão que ingeriram AmED apresentaram maior risco de dirigir sem...

INTRODUCTION: Consumption of alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED) has been shown associated with both a heavy pattern of alcohol intake as well as the traffic risk behaviors (TRB) among young adults. Due to the serious impact caused by disabilities and traffic deaths arising from predictable and largely preventable behaviors, the present study investigates the influence of AmED consumption on traffic risk behaviors among truck drivers. METHODS: Data from a sample of professional driving along the highways of the State of São Paulo (Brazil) between June 2012 and September 2013 (N=535) were divided into three groups: (a) those who reported drinking AmED (n=90), (b) who reported consuming alcohol only (n=326) and (c) the rest of the sample (n=445). Bivariate analyzes were performed with positive reports in the last 12 months preceding the survey. The level of significance was set for an alpha of 5% and, subsequently, it was made a multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Comparing the drivers who drink AmED with those who consumed only alcohol, the first were more likely to have between 20 and 24 years (OR=3.3), to work as a professional less than five years (OR=2.5), had higher risks of driving without a seat belt (OR=2.2), in high speed (OR=1.9), have a fight or discussion in traffic (OR=2.1), having consumed alcohol in a heavy pattern (OR=3.4), drinking more alcoholic drinks per occasion (median 5 vs 2 doses, p < 0.008); at higher frequency (OR=1.9), more often in binge drinking (OR=2.3), consuming illicit drugs more frequently (OR=2.3), as well as more likely to have a bad quality sleep (OR=1.7). Compared to the rest of the sample, it was found that truck drivers who drink AmED had higher risk of driving without a seat belt (OR=2.2), in high speed (OR=1.9), drunk (OR=2 , 6), to fight or discuss in traffic (OR=2.0), were more likely to consume more alcoholic drinks per occasion (median 5 vs 2 doses, p < 0.001), drinking more...

The effects of alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED) on traffic behaviors among Brazilian college students: a national survey.

OBJECTIVE: Drinking alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED) may be contributing to hazardous drinking practices and risk-taking behaviors among college students. In this regard, this study aimed to assess the frequency of AmED consumption in a national sample of Brazilian college students and to estimate the risk that energy drinks pose on drinking and traffic behaviors. METHOD: A sample of 12,711 college students from across the country was asked to complete a research questionnaire on the use of drugs and other behaviors. Students who reported drinking in the previous 12 months (N = 8672) were divided into 2 groups: (a) those who reported drinking only alcohol (N = 4192) and (b) those who reported drinking AmED (N = 1119). The college students who reported the use of at least one illicit drug were excluded from data analysis. Descriptive and inferential analyses were subsequently carried out using the R library survey software 2.15.0. The null hypothesis was rejected at the level of P < .05. RESULTS: AmED users are more likely to be hazardous drinkers. Being male, single, and involved with high-risk drinking behaviors are associated to AmED. After adjusting for demographic and drinking variables, the odds of being involved in high-risk traffic behaviors--for example, driving at high speed (odds ratio [OR] = 2.6; P < .001) and driving after binge drinking (OR = 2.8; P < .001)--were higher among AmED users than alcohol only users (AUs). CONCLUSION: The current findings are consistent with the results of previous studies. Drinking AmED may make college students more vulnerable to the occurrence of risky drinking and traffic behaviors. Educational campaigns targeted to young people should be developed warning them about the potential risks of mixing alcohol with energy drinks.

Comparação do uso de drogas entre universitários brasileiros, norte-americanos e jovens da população geral brasileira / Comparison of drug use between Brazilian and American college students and young Brazilian general population

OBJETIVO: Comparar o uso de drogas entre os universitários e a população geral brasileira, assim como com os universitários norte-americanos, identificando possíveis diferenças de uso pela interferência da cultura. MÉTODOS: Para comparar o uso de drogas na vida entre as populações de interesse, foram utilizados os dados públicos de levantamentos estatísticos brasileiros realizados com universitários e a população geral, assim como levantamento estatístico norte-americano, por meio da comparação de intervalos de confiança (IC 95%). RESULTADOS: O uso de drogas na vida é mais frequente entre os estudantes norte-americanos, que relatam usar mais tabaco, tranquilizantes, maconha, ecstasy, alucinógenos, cocaína, crack e heroína que os universitários brasileiros. Em contrapartida, os universitários brasileiros relatam usar quase duas vezes mais inalantes do que os universitários norte-americanos. Esse padrão se repete ao se analisarem as diferenças intragênero. A isso se soma que os universitários brasileiros parecem envolver-se com mais frequência no uso de bebidas alcoólicas, maconha, tranquilizantes, inalantes, alucinógenos e anfetamínicos que seus pares da população geral brasileira. CONCLUSÕES: Conhecer as particularidades do uso de drogas entre os universitários é de suma importância para a detecção precoce desse consumo. Investimentos nesse segmento e diferenças de sexo devem ser contempladas nas políticas preventivas, assim como na elaboração de estratégias para a redução e o controle desse consumo, como programas de triagem e intervenção breve, uma vez que possuem a melhor relação custo-benefício.

OBJECTIVE: To compare drug use between college students and the general Brazilian population, as well as with American college students' drug use, identifying possible usage differences related to cultural interference. METHODS: To compare lifetime drug use between target populations, public data collected from statistical surveys conducted with Brazilian college students and the general population were used, as well as surveys conducted with American college students. The surveys' confidence intervals (95% CI) were subjects of comparison. RESULTS: Drug use is more frequent among American college students, who use more tobacco, tranquilizers, marijuana, ecstasy, hallucinogens, cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin than Brazilian college students. In contrast, Brazilian college students use nearly the double of inhalants than American college students. This pattern of use is repeated in the analysis of intra-gender differences. Add to this that Brazilian college students seem to engage more frequently in drinking alcoholic beverages and using marijuana, tranquilizers, inhalants, hallucinogens and amphetamines than their peers in the general Brazilian population. CONCLUSIONS: Knowing the particularities of drug use among college students is of paramount importance for the early detection of consumption. Investments in this segment and gender differences should be considered in preventive policies, as well as developing strategies of consumption reduction and control, such as screening programs and brief intervention, due to better cost-effectiveness.