Drinking and Driving in Puerto Rico.

BACKGROUND

Epidemiological information is lacking for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) in Puerto Rico.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the prevalence and correlates of DUI in Puerto Rico.

METHODS

Data are from a household sample of 1510 individuals, aged 18-64 years in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The response rate was 83%.

RESULTS

The rate of 12 month self-reported DUI was 20% among men and 8% among women (p < 0.001). Twelve month DUI arrests were reported by 0.1% of men and 0.2% of women (p: ns) while lifetime arrests were reported by 6% of men and 0.7% of women (p < 0.001). Adjusted analyses showed that the number of hours of daily driving (OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.01-1.17; p < 0.05), male gender (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.07-2.58; p < 0.01), having more liberal drinking norms (OR = 4.81; 95% CI = 2.61-8.84; p < 0.01) and more positive attitudes towards drinking (OR = 4.58; 95% CI = 1.28-16.31; p < 0.01), consuming a higher number of weekly drinks (OR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.03-1.07; p < 0.001), and binge drinking (OR = 2.60; 95% CI = 1.62-4.16; p < 0.001) were factors of risk for self-reporting DUI. A lifetime arrest was associated with being separated or divorced (OR = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.04-7.36; p < 0.05), male gender (OR = 5.25; 95% CI = 1.93-14.26; p < 0.001), more liberal drinking norms (OR = 6.97; 95% CI = 2.37-20.48; p < 0.001), and illicit drug use (OR = 2.82; 95% CI = 1.25-6.35; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of self-reported DUI in San Juan, Puerto Rico was high, but the proportion of people arrested for DUI in a span of 12 months or during their lifetime was low. Stricter enforcement of DUI laws may be necessary to minimize DUI in urban Puerto Rico.