Alcohol and drug consumption, depressive features, and family violence as associated with complaints to the prosecutor's office in Central Mexico

Abstract

The article is aimed at reporting the characteristics of the population detected at State Prosecutors' Offices including the two such offices that existed in the city selected for the study, one located in a general hospital for the inspection of violence- related cases ( n = 156); and the second in the facility where all detainees are taken when arrested ( n = 129), and where victims can file a complaint ( n = 186). A household survey undertaken among the population 18 to 65 years of age ( n = 887) was used as a group of reference. Both studies were undertaken in Pachuca City, the capital of Hidalgo, located 100 km from Mexico City during the second half of 1996. Face- to- face questionnaires were used to obtain sociodemographic data, drug use and drinking patterns, depressive symptomatology, and family violence. Discriminant and logistic regression analysis were undertaken. The age group from 18 to 24 displayed the highest number of legal complaints and arrests ( OR = 1.773). The likelihood for appearing at a State Prosecutor's Office was higher for those living in an atmosphere of threats and injuries within the family ( OR = 19) and for those that reported alcohol consumption on the day of the event ( OR = 14). Extremely high rates of family violence were obtained in this sample, increasing the likelihood of arriving at the Prosecutor's Office either because arrested or for being a victim. Results confirm the relationship between alcohol use, depression, and violence, reinforcing the need to prevent alcohol abuse, 1 especially among youth.