258558 Socio-demographic characteristics of a low-income clinic population that consumes alcohol mixed with energy drinks

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Mirna Ponce, MPH, MA , Department of Public Health, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, CA
Janice Casil, MPP , County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health, Tobacco Control and Prevention Program, Los Angeles, CA
Lisa V. Smith, MS, DrPH , Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Tony Kuo, MD, MSHS , Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Introduction: Little is known about the socio-demographic and health characteristics of individuals who consume alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED). Considering that this is an emerging social issue, describing the burden and groups that are potentially at-risk for this behavior may be invaluable in helping to develop an appropriate public health response. Methods: The first round of the Los Angeles County Health and Examination Survey (LA HANES) was a cross-sectional, targeted health assessment of low-income adults in Los Angeles County, conducted at designated public health centers from February-April, 2011. The survey collected socio-demographics, clinical measurements, and self-reported information on respondent health-risk behaviors. The response rate was 73% (n = 679 for the analysis). Results: Twenty-one percent of the respondents reported consuming AmED in the past week. Males (OR=1.3, 95% CI 0.9, 1.9), those aged 18-44, African Americans (OR=2.3, 95% CI 1.2, 4.6) and Latinos (OR=1.3, 95% CI 0.7, 2.7) were more likely than females, those aged 65+, and whites to use AmED. Respondents with a high school education were more likely than those with some college (OR=1.7, 95% CI 1.1, 2.7) to use AmED, as were employed respondents (OR=1.3, 95% CL 0.9, 1.9) and tobacco users (OR=2.6, 95% CI 1.8, 3.8). Conclusions: Findings suggest that sex, race/ethnicity, education, and the presence of other health-risk behaviors (e.g., tobacco use) may represent correlates of AmED consumption. These factors warrant further study and are likely important elements to consider in developing an appropriate response to this emerging public health issue.

Learning Areas:
Epidemiology

Learning Objectives:
•To describe AmED consumption in a low-income, public health center population in Los Angeles County. •To present data on the socio-demographic characteristics and health-risk profiles of low-income adults who consume alcohol mixed with energy drinks. A better understanding of these characteristics may aid public health in planning and responding to this emerging issue.

Keywords: Alcohol Problems, African American

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have worked at the Department of Public Health for the past 3 years on matters related to risk behaviors.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.