[Changes in hazardous drinking in Spanish adolescent population in the last decade (2004-2013) using a quantitative...

To determine the changes in hazardous drinking in adolescents in the last decade, as well as their motivations and experiences.

Firstly, a descriptive design using a self-report questionnaire, and secondly an explanatory qualitative design, with video recordings of discussion groups with content analysis (coding, triangulation of categories and verification of results).

Pupils from an urban High School, administering a questionnaire every 3 years from 2004 to 2013. Purposive sampling was used to elect groups in qualitative design. Homogeneity criteria: education level; heterogeneity criteria: age, gender, and drug use.

Questionnaire: age, gender, drug use, and the CAGE test. Interviews: semi-structured on a previous script, evaluating experiences and expectations.

Descriptive design: A total of 1,558 questionnaires, age 14.2±0.3years, 50% female. The prevalence of alcohol drinking decreases (13%), but its hazardous use increases (11%; P<.001, χ²). This is associated with being female (P<.01 χ²), higher alcohol consumption (>6 standard drink units weekly; P<.001, ANOVA), during the weekend (56%; P<.01, χ²) and multiple drug use (P<.01, χ²). CAGE questionnaire: 37% ≥1positive response (related to hazardous drinking, P<.05 χ²), 18% ≥2answers.

A total of 48 respondents, classified into 4 categories: personal factors (age, gender), social influences (family, friends), consumption standards (accessibility, nightlife), and addiction (risk, multiple drug use).

Despite the decrease in the prevalence of alcohol drinking, the increase in the percentage of the hazardous drinking is a public health problem. It is related to being female, binge-drinking, and multiple drug use. Nightlife and social standards are the main reasons given by adolescents, who have no perception of risk.