Alcohol and driving: a preventive approach among bar customers

Abstract

Objective: To identify in bar customers risk attitudes and to make them be aware about the dangers of these behaviors via preventive approach. Method: Descriptive transversal study carried out with 119 bar customers interviewed in May 2016, in Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil. A semi-structured questionnaire was used about the following variables: gender, ethnicity, age, educational level, habit of using seat belts, alcohol consumption at the time of the interview, the vehicle driving responsibility during the period of the interview, habit of drunk driving, traffic accident history in alcohol effect and place of residence. During the questionnaire, a preventive approach was taken on the risks of drunk driving and without a seat belt. Results: There was a predominance of male individuals (53.8%), Caucasians (41.4%), and mean age of 27, whose age ranged from 25 to 34 years old made up more than half the sample (52.9%), and enrolled in college (47.8%). Most of the interviewees used seat belts while drivers (76.4%) or as passengers (72.2%). Prevailed interviewees who were consuming alcoholic beverages in the interview (73.9%), with predominance of those who would not drive vehicles after leaving the establishment (57.9%). Predominated drivers who have the habit of driving under the influence of alcohol (64.7%), among which an important part was already involved in a traffic accident as a result of this practice (17.6%). The majority of the interviewees resided in Ilhéus (71.4%). Conclusion: Drunk driving is still a common practice. However, the interviewees were receptive to preventive interventions about traffic accidents.