Alcohol Consumption and Risk for Dependence Among Male Latino Migrant Farmworkers Compared to Latino Nonfarmworkers in North Carolina. (4th February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arcury, Thomas A.; Talton, Jennifer W.; Summers, Phillip; Chen, Haiying; Laurienti, Paul J.; Quandt, Sara A.
• Is Part Of: Alcoholism. Volume 40:Number 2(2016)
• Page Start: 377
• Page End: 384
• Publication Date: 2016-02-04
• Subjects: Farmworkers -- Immigrant Workers -- Latinos -- Heavy Episodic Drinking -- Alcohol Dependence; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Alcoolisme; Electronic journals; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.861005
• DOI: 10.1111/acer.12969
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-6008

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Our aim was to describe alcohol consumption behavior of male Latino migrant farmworkers, compare their alcohol consumption behavior with that of other male Latino immigrants, and determine factors associated with risk for alcohol dependence among Latino immigrant workers. Methods: Cross‐sectional data were drawn from baseline interviews conducted as part of a larger community‐based participatory research project examining the cognitive and neurological outcomes of pesticide exposure. A total of 235 farmworkers and 212 nonfarmworkers completed interviews between May and August 2012. Results: Although 17.5% of the North Carolina Latino farmworkers report never having drunk alcohol, and a total of 34.5% report not having drunk alcohol in the previous 3 months, 48.5% engaged in heavy episodic drinking (HED) in the previous 3 months, and 23.8% frequently engaged in HED during this period. Farmworkers and nonfarmworkers did not differ significantly in alcohol consumption behavior. Farmworkers and nonfarmworkers did differ significantly in each component of the CAGE scale, with 37.9% of farmworkers and 16.0% of nonfarmworkers being at risk for alcohol dependence ( p < 0.0001). Significant factors for being at risk for alcohol dependence were stress (odds ratio 1.06, 95% confidence interval 1.03, 1.09) and being a farmworker (odds ratio 3.58, 95% confidence interval 2.12, 6.06). Being married reduced the risk of alcohol dependence (odds ratio 0.45, 95% confidence interval 0.23, 0.87). Conclusions: Latino farmworkers and nonfarmworkers consume relatively large amounts of alcohol and engage in HED at relatively high rates. Latino farmworkers have very high rates of risk for alcohol dependence. Policy changes and public health interventions are needed to address these concerns for a population that is vital to the agricultural economy. Abstract : Latino migrant farmworkers are an essential part of the U.S. labor force. North Carolina farmworkers and nonfarmworkers are similar in the frequency of alcohol consumption; 23.8% of farmworkers and 21.1% of nonfarmworkers report frequent heavy episodic drinking. However, significantly more farmworkers (37.9%) than nonfarmworkers (16.0%) have a CAGE score of 2+, including risk for alcohol dependence. Farmworker's risk for alcohol dependence may be associated with poor housing, stress, poor work conditions, social isolation, and absence of family.