Young People In Cuba Start Drinking Earlier

Young People In Cuba Start Drinking Earlier / 14ymedio, Zunilda Mata
Posted on January 21, 2016

14ymedio, Zunilda Mata, Havana, 18 January 2016 – From the bar home,
from home to the bar, so passes the life of Fico, a Havanan of 65 who
has struggled for more than two decades against alcoholism. His
situation is frequently repeated in a society where more than 45% of
those over age 15 drink alcohol, according to research by the National
Unit for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention published this Monday
in the official press.

Cubans between 15 and 44 are the most frequent consumers of alcohol.
Differences in consumption between the sexes are also narrowing, and
drinking is no longer a "man's thing" as was erroneously believed until
recently.

The most recent studies warn that Cuban women are increasing their
consumption of alcohol. The share of men who drink is 47% while for
women it is more than 19%. In the case of women, they suffer greater
rejection, being in a macho society, and they wait longer to seek expert
help.

Experts also warn that alcohol does more harm to women because they have
less body fluid than men. The saturation or condensation of substances
in the body is higher and the level of toxicity faster and more intense
for women.

A survey in 2014 showed that consumption before age 15 is more common in
men than women, with rates of 11% vs. 3% respectively.

Alcoholism is among the top ten causes of death in Cuba. In late 2015, a
report form the National Transportation Directorate detailed that in
that year in Cuba, 17 people had lost their lives and more than 140 were
injured in traffic accidents where it was shown that some of the parties
had higher levels of alcohol than permitted.

Urban areas have the highest rates of alcohol consumption, both for men
and women, but overall the highest rates were recorded in the central
region of the country, where 53% of men are drinkers.

Education also influences consumption, as women with higher levels of
education levels consumed more alcohol, some 24% more than those with
the least schooling. Among men, however, the opposite phenomenon occurs
and the highest percentage of drinkers is among those with little education.

Health officials are calling on the Community Mental Health Centers and
specialized consultations in polyclinics to make a call to help those in
need of treatment or counseling for alcohol issues.

There are more than 200 Alcoholics Anonymous groups in the country, with
the entry of that organization into Cuba dating back to 1993; they
mainly hold their meetings in facilities provided by Catholic and
evangelical churches.

Source: Young People In Cuba Start Drinking Earlier / 14ymedio, Zunilda
Mata | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/young-people-in-cuba-start-drinking-earlier-14ymedio-zunilda-mata/