[Alcohol consumption in Toledo schoolchildren: reasons and alternatives]

To know the consumption of alcohol in Toledo schoolchildren, to find out the reasons which cause them to drink and the alternatives proposed.

Descriptive, transverse study.

2 zones in the Toledo health area.

A total of 625 adolescents between 13 and 18 years, in the third and fourth years of Obligatory Secondary Education and first year in High School (Bachillerato) of 2 secondary education institutions in Torrijos and 1 in Toledo capital.

Using an ad hoc designed anonymous questionnaire, with 32 items, the following data was collected: age, sex, alcohol consumption (personal, family, and friends), how much (standard drink units), knowledge and sources of information on alcohol, taking of other drugs, reasons for consuming, and the alternatives.

47.27% of those questioned were male. The mean age was 15.4 +/- (-)1.3 years. 93.4% had tried alcohol (95% CI, 91.1-95.2). 52.0% had been drunk at some time, which was more frequent in rural areas than in the city. 58.1% considered alcohol as a drug. Among the reasons mentioned for drinking, the main ones were "enjoyment" (46.3%), "to forget problems" (30.7%), and "curiosity" (24.6%). The alternatives to drinking which were proposed were related to computers and sport.

The consumption of alcohol is a common habit among adolescents and its pattern differs between urban and rural areas, where it is much earlier and more intense in the latter. It forms part of their lifestyle, they use it as a means of enjoyment and a large percentage consider that alcohol is a drug. Against "street binge drinking," their proposals are computer activities and sport.