Drinking and Driving in Puerto Rico

ABSTRACTBackground: 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 d...