Ingestion of alcoholic beverages in stoneware Latin American countries: Chile, Colombia and Mexico. Clinical, Epidemiological and Sociocultural Aspects

Abstract

The consumption of alcohol by the population becomes a theme of medical-social relevance in so far as the excessive or problematic habit or drinking alcohol leads to the syndrom of alcoholism and may affect substantially the mental health of the population. This paper tries to introduce the theoretical and practical study of the epidemiology of the alcohol drinking behavior, based on some exemplary cases of Columbia, Mexico and Chile. Essential themes are: Which are the social and age groups with greater propensity towards problematic drinking habits? Which of the autochthonous cultural elements are available for preventive activities inside the community? Which are the main alcohol derivate problems?