Alcohol Intake by Workers in a Health Care Institution in Bucaramanga, Colombia

Abstract

The harmful alcohol intake represents a global problem. Its high consumption has been associated with cardio metabolic risk factors. Evaluating their consumption in health workers is important for the formulation of strategies to promote healthy lifestyles. The objective of this study was to determine the consumption of alcohol and establish the differences of this intake in terms of socio-demographic and cardiovascular characteristics of interest in hospital workers of Bucaramanga, Colombia. An analytical cross sectional was made (baseline of an intervention study to reduce cardiovascular risk factors). Sociodemographic, anthropometric, biochemical, physical activity, and lifestyles characteristics, as well as alcohol consumption (g / week) were evaluated using a previously validated Frequency Alcohol Questionnaire. Multiple linear regression models were used, adjusting for sex, age, socio-economic level, schooling and marital status. 77.4% (95% CI: 71.2% to 82.8%) of the study participants consumed some type of alcoholic beverage during the month prior to the survey, with an average of 70.0 grams of alcohol per week of 70.0 g. We found a statistically significant difference (p = 0.012) of 40.4 grams of alcohol per week (95% CI: 8.9 to 71.8 g / week) consumed among those who have hypertriglyceridemia and those who do not. In conclusion, the high consumption of grams of alcohol per week is related to a triglyceride level above the normal ranges.