Alcohol use and misuse in urban Mexican men and women: an epidemiologic perspective.

Consumption patterns and misuse of alcohol were examined in adults sampled from three cities in Mexico (n=1933). The sample was divided into groups of persons who abstained from alcohol, drank but endorsed no misuse, or drank and endorsed at least some misuse of alcohol. Half of the entire sample was categorized as drinkers (12 or more drinks in lifetime). Mexican men drank more per occasion and reported more problems with alcohol rather than did Mexican women. Low socioeconomic resources, not being married, and female gender were related to whether Mexicans abstained from alcohol rather than drank without misuse. Lifetime posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression increased the likelihood of misusing alcohol versus drinking without misuse, as did greater amount of drinks consumed per occasion and male gender. Younger age and not being married were also related to misuse, although this was true mostly for women. The number of traumatic experiences in childhood and lower socioeconomic resources also predicted misuse, although mostly for men. Specific traumatic experiences and their relationship to alcohol use and misuse were also examined.

Epidemiology of major depression in four cities in Mexico.

Analyses were conducted to estimate lifetime and current prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) for four representative cities of Mexico, to identify variables that influence the probability of MDD, and to further describe depression in Mexican culture. A multistage probability sampling design was used to draw a sample of 2,509 adults in four different regions of Mexico. MDD was assessed according to DSM-IV criteria by using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview collected by trained lay interviewers. The prevalence of MDD in these four cities averaged 12.8% for lifetime and 6.1% for the previous 12 months. MDD was highly comorbid with other mental disorders. Women were more likely to have lifetime MDD than were men. Being divorced, separated, or widowed (compared to married or never married) and having experienced childhood trauma were related to higher lifetime prevalence but not to current prevalence. In addition, age and education level were related to current 12-month MDD. Data on the profile of MDD in urban Mexico are provided. This research expands our understanding of MDD across cultures.