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Alcohol drinking behaviors among Turkish high school students
Müjgan Alikaşifoğlu1, Ethem Erginöz, Oya Ercan
1Department of Pediatrics, Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
|April 13, 2004
Summary
Regular alcohol consumption is common among high school students, with 6% reporting it. Factors like smoking, drug use, and peer influence are linked to regular drinking, highlighting the need for school-based prevention programs.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Alcohol consumption among adolescents is a significant public health concern.
- Understanding the prevalence and risk factors for regular alcohol drinking in high school students is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prevalence, behavioral patterns, and correlates of regular alcohol drinking among high school students in Istanbul.
- To identify factors associated with regular alcohol consumption in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study utilizing a modified "Health Behavior in School Age Children" questionnaire.
- Data collected from 4,153 students in grades 9-11 from 26 randomly selected high schools.
- Statistical analyses included Chi-square test, Spearman correlation, and logistic regression.
Main Results:
- 46% of students were current drinkers, and 6% reported regular alcohol drinking.
- Male students showed higher rates of current drinking, regular drinking, and drunkenness compared to females.
- Factors associated with regular drinking included higher grade level, smoking, drug use, bullying, sexual activity, and specific lifestyle/social factors.
Conclusions:
- Alcohol consumption is prevalent among high school students in Istanbul.
- School-based alcohol prevention programs are needed, addressing family and peer influences.
- Interventions should consider the multifactorial nature of adolescent alcohol use.