Enhancing the estimation of unrecorded alcohol consumption in Chile: a multi-methods study

IF 4.4 2区医学 Q1 SUBSTANCE ABUSE

International Journal of Drug Policy Pub Date : 2025-07-09 DOI:10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104907

Carolina Cornejo , Deirdre M. Gilmore , Mariel Mateo Pinones , Pablo Norambuena Cardenas , Dirk W. Lachenmeier , Jürgen Rehm , Maristela Monteiro , Alvaro Castillo-Carniglia

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Reports of unrecorded alcohol consumption have relied on aggregated and regional information rather than empirical research on national characteristics. This study aims to inform about the Chilean unrecorded alcohol market and the magnitude of unrecorded consumption.

Methods

We employed a multi-methods approach with four components: a Delphi panel among experts (n = 21), a survey of people at increased risk of problematic alcohol consumption (n = 138), semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and alcohol industry informants (n = 12), and chemical analysis of 10 unrecorded alcohol samples.

Results

After two rounds of consultations, experts challenged prior estimates of unrecorded alcohol consumption and set per capita levels between 0.05 and 0.5 liters of pure alcohol (0.7 %-8 % of total per capita alcohol consumption), with homemade alcohol as the primary source (31 %). Homemade alcohol consumption was prevalent among individuals at high risk of problematic alcohol use, where clandestine or unlicensed establishments and artisanal producers were primary sources. Informants identified regulatory controls, production traceability, and the affordability of recorded alcohol as factors that limit the unrecorded alcohol market in Chile. Conversely, the availability of raw materials and alcohol taxation were seen as potential threats. Finally, while chemical analyses revealed that some unrecorded alcohol samples exceeded regulatory parameters (e.g., acidity, impurities), all 10 samples were safe for human consumption.

Conclusions

Unrecorded alcohol consumption in Chile appears to be lower than previous estimates. A robust surveillance system of the alcohol market will strengthen the institutional capacity to monitor and take actions to prevent harm from recorded and unrecorded alcohol use.

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加强对智利未记录酒精消费的估计：一项多方法研究

关于未记录的酒精消费的报告依赖于汇总和区域信息，而不是对国家特征的实证研究。本研究旨在了解智利未记录的酒精市场和未记录的消费规模。方法采用多方法方法，包括四个组成部分：专家的德尔菲小组（n = 21），对问题酒精消费风险增加的人的调查（n = 138），对关键利益相关者和酒精行业线人的半结构化访谈（n = 12），以及对10个未记录的酒精样本的化学分析。结果经过两轮磋商，专家们对先前对未记录酒精消费量的估计提出了质疑，并将人均纯酒精消费量设定在0.05至0.5升之间（占人均酒精消费量的0.7% - 8%），其中自制酒精为主要来源（31%）。家庭酒精消费在酗酒高风险人群中普遍存在，其中秘密或无证场所和手工生产者是主要来源。举报人指出，管制控制、生产可追溯性和记录在案的酒精的可负担性是限制智利未记录在案的酒精市场的因素。相反，原料的供应和酒精税被视为潜在的威胁。最后，虽然化学分析显示，一些未记录的酒精样本超出了规定参数（例如酸度、杂质），但所有10个样本都可供人类安全饮用。智利未记录的酒精消费量似乎低于先前的估计。一个强有力的酒精市场监测系统将加强机构监测和采取行动的能力，以防止记录在案和未记录在案的酒精使用造成的危害。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Drug Policy SUBSTANCE ABUSE-

CiteScore

7.80

自引率

11.40%

发文量

307

审稿时长

62 days

期刊介绍： The International Journal of Drug Policy provides a forum for the dissemination of current research, reviews, debate, and critical analysis on drug use and drug policy in a global context. It seeks to publish material on the social, political, legal, and health contexts of psychoactive substance use, both licit and illicit. The journal is particularly concerned to explore the effects of drug policy and practice on drug-using behaviour and its health and social consequences. It is the policy of the journal to represent a wide range of material on drug-related matters from around the world.