Health campaign on roads: evaluation of alcohol consumption pattern and stress

Abstract

The use of alcohol and stress are complex and little explored topics. This study aimed to identify the use of alcohol and levels of stress among participants of a health campaign on Brazilian roads. This quantitative descriptive study was carried out in April of 2008 on a road in Ribeirão Preto, SP. Data were collected through a questionnaire with closed questions about the use of alcohol, reasons to drink and stress symptoms. The sample was composed of 91, 2% participants of the campaign who were predominantly white males, adults, married/cohabitating, with low educational level, truck drivers, Catholics, from the Southeast. Regarding to the use of alcohol, 71.2% drink or have drunk alcohol and a third reported relaxing was their reason to drink, while 15% presented increased levels of stress. Among the main symptoms, family, physical and financial problems were the most reported. The conclusion is that early identification of alcohol abuse and stress is essential so that effective preventive actions are planned for this population.

Descriptors: Alcoholic beverage; Stress; automobile driving.