Disparities in the prevalence of suicidal ideation according to negative consequences of alcohol use in Peru

Fernández-Díaz L.; Ballena-Caicedo J.; Zuzunaga-Montoya F.E.; Vera-Ponce V.J. · Mental Health and Prevention (2026) · DOI: 10.1016/j.mhp.2026.200545

Resumen

Background Suicidal ideation and negative consequences of alcohol use are major public health problems. Population-based surveys usually emphasize drinking frequency or volume, while functional, social, and legal consequences receive less attention. Objective To describe disparities in suicidal ideation according to the presence, number, and type of negative consequences of alcohol use among Peruvians aged 15 years or older with frequent alcohol use, and to examine whether these disparities differed by sex. Methods We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study using pooled ENDES 2014–2024 data. The analysis included 28,596 participants who reported alcohol use on 12 or more days during the previous 12 months and had valid data. Suicidal ideation was defined as any positive response to PHQ-9 item 9. Negative consequences were operationalized through a four-event summative index. Weighted prevalences, absolute differences in percentage points, and crude prevalence ratios were estimated. Results Overall, 35% reported at least one negative consequence. The weighted prevalence of suicidal ideation was 11% in the total sample, 8% among those without consequences, and 17% among those with at least one consequence, corresponding to a 9-percentage-point difference. Prevalence increased from 13% with one consequence to 23% with two or more consequences, reaching 34% with four consequences. The crude prevalence ratio for at least one consequence was 2.23. Conclusions Negative consequences of alcohol use identified subgroups with a higher burden of suicidal ideation. The accumulation of consequences showed a graded pattern relevant for population surveillance and for identifying groups warranting more detailed mental health assessment.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas