[Alcohol drinking and other risk behaviors among adolescents aged 11-15 years]

The aim of the study was: (1) to assess the prevalence and intensity of alcohol drinking among 11 to 15-year-old Polish adolescents in 2002, (2) to show trends of drinking between 1998-2002, (3) to identify three groups of alcohol-related risk (low, moderate and high intensity of drinking); (4) to test the relationship between belonging to those groups and other health compromising behaviours. The study is based on the fourth series of - Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) A WHO Collaborative Cross-National Study carried out in 2002. A sample was selected as representative of general school population at three age groups - mean age 11.7; 13.7 and 15.7 (N=6383). An international standard questionnaire was used. The results showed that 29% of students, including 51% of 15-years-olds, had been really drunk at least once in the lifetime. 11% of all adolescents, including 21% of 15-year-olds, were identified as the high risk group. In 1998-2002 an increase of adolescents drinking vodka and of girls being drunk was observed. The girls living in towns formed the main group of adolescents with increasing alcohol consumption. In multivariate logistic regression models adjusted, if appropriate, for gender, place of residence and age, being in the group of high alcohol-related risk was associated with higher risk of smoking (odds ratio OR=23.3; 95% confidence interval CI=18.3-30.3), illicit drugs use (for marihuana or hashish OR=49.0; 95% CI=21.3-112.7), early sexual initiation (OR=9.9; 95% CI=7.1-14.1), participation in a physical fight or bullying (OR=5.1; 95% CI=4.2-6.3), and getting injured (OR=1.9; 95% CI=1.6-2.3). Being in the group of moderate alcohol-related risk was also associated with other risk behaviours, with lower, but still significant odds ratios. Presented data can be used in school-based and community-based prevention and intervention activities.