ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Determining the prevalence of pathological gambling related to variables such as age and sex; furthermore, identifying the most current tools used for measuring it and the kind of gaming associated with this type of obsessive behavior. METHOD: A meta-analysis of studies concerning pathological gambling published between 1997 and 2007 was carried out. Inclusion criteria for papers consisted of having a probabilistic sample, indicating the tool used for measuring it and presenting the prevalence rate. RESULTS: It was observed that pathological gambling affects men more than women; furthermore, there are differences amongst adults and adolescents related to this type of behaviour, the latter group having the higher prevalence rate. Video lottery terminals are the most frequently occurring type of game associated with pathological gambling. CONCLUSIONS: Pathological gambling deserves more attention by public health managers. Prevalence studies help to understand it better.
Subject(s)
Gambling , Humans , PrevalenceABSTRACT
Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia del juego patológico según las variables de edad y sexo e identificar los instrumentos mas usados así como los juegos asociados a dicha patología. Método: Se propone un meta-análisis de estudios publicados entre 1997 y 2007 sobre la prevalencia del juego patológico. Para ser incluidos, los artículos debían tener una muestra probabilística, indicar el instrumento de evaluación utilizado y presentar la tasa de prevalencia. Resultados: El juego patológico afecta en mayor proporción a los hombres que a las mujeres; igualmente, el porcentaje de adolescentes con ludopatía es relativamente mas elevado que el de los adultos. Las máquinas tragaperras son los juegos más frecuentemente asociados con el juego patológico. Conclusiones: El juego patológico merece más atención desde la perspectiva de la salud pública. Los estudios de prevalencia ayudan a mejorar su comprensión.
Objective Determining the prevalence of pathological gambling related to variables such as age and sex; furthermore, identifying the most current tools used for measuring it and the kind of gaming associated with this type of obsessive behavior. Method: A meta-analysis of studies concerning pathological gambling published between 1997 and 2007 was carried out. Inclusion criteria for papers consisted of having a probabilistic sample, indicating the tool used for measuring it and presenting the prevalence rate. Results: It was observed that pathological gambling affects men more than women; furthermore, there are differences amongst adults and adolescents related to this type of behaviour, the latter group having the higher prevalence rate. Video lottery terminals are the most frequently occurring type of game associated with pathological gambling. Conclusions: Pathological gambling deserves more attention by public health managers. Prevalence studies help to understand it better.
