Alcohol as a reported frequent problem and sociodemographic correlates in a Waorani community in the Ecuadorian Amazon: a community-based cross-sectional census study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Background Alcohol-related concerns among Indigenous populations should be interpreted within their specific social, territorial, and historical contexts. Quantitative evidence from Waorani communities in the Ecuadorian Amazon remains limited. This study estimated the proportion of census records in which alcohol was identified as a frequent problem and examined associated sociodemographic characteristics in the Nuevo Amanecer Waorani community. Methods We conducted a community-based cross-sectional secondary analysis of 125 individual census records from Nuevo Amanecer, Shell Parish, Pastaza Province, Ecuador. The primary outcome was derived from the census item “frequent problem” and was classified as positive when alcohol was selected. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (cPRs and aPRs) were estimated using Poisson regression with a log link and HC3 robust sandwich variance. The primary adjusted model included sex, age group, and partnership status. Sensitivity analyses were restricted to adults aged ≥18 years and additionally evaluated educational attainment. Results Alcohol was selected as the frequent problem in 81 of 125 census records (64.8%, 95% CI 56.1–72.6). The primary complete-case model included 123 records. Male sex was associated with a higher prevalence of the outcome (aPR 1.31; 95% CI 1.03–1.67). Compared with individuals aged <18 years, higher adjusted prevalence ratios were observed for ages 18–24 years (aPR 2.64; 95% CI 1.58–4.42), 25–34 years (aPR 2.64; 95% CI 1.57–4.42), and ≥45 years (aPR 2.11; 95% CI 1.16–3.83). Stable partnership status showed a more modest association (aPR 1.30; 95% CI 1.00–1.68). In the adult-only analysis ( n = 80), the association with male sex persisted (aPR 1.24; 95% CI 1.01–1.53), whereas the age pattern changed and the estimate for stable partnership attenuated (aPR 1.21; 95% CI 0.97–1.51). Conclusion Alcohol was selected as the frequent problem in nearly two-thirds of census records in this Waorani community. Male sex was the most consistent sociodemographic correlate across analyses, whereas age and partnership associations were more sensitive to the analytical population. These findings should not be interpreted as estimates of individual alcohol consumption, hazardous drinking, or alcohol use disorder. Further research should incorporate culturally and linguistically appropriate, validated alcohol-specific measures, respondent and household identifiers, and longitudinal or mixed-methods approaches developed in collaboration with Waorani leadership.
Source: Frontiers in Public Health
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W7222965556