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The rate and pattern of alcohol consumption among Chinese adolescents
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore 21201-1010, USA.
Objective:
To assess the prevalence and pattern of alcohol consumption and its relation to participation in other social activities and problem behaviors among adolescents residing in the People's Republic of China.
Methods:
Data were collected from a sample of 1,040 students in 6th, 8th, and 10th grades from five public schools in Beijing, China by using a self-administered questionnaire. Chi-square statistics and two-way ANOVA were used to assess the gender and grade difference in lifetime alcohol use of various alcoholic beverages. The age-adjusted and grade-adjusted odds ratio was used to assess the association between alcohol use and selected social activities and problem behaviors.
Results:
Approximately 70% of the study sample reported prior alcohol consumption. The rate of drinking among males was significantly higher than among females (78% vs. 61%, p < .00001), and the rates among both genders increased with advancing grade (54%, 72%, and 84%, respectively, p < .001). Beer was the most commonly consumed alcoholic beverage. The results also suggested a progression from beer to wine and/or liquor. Drinking behavior was positively associated with participation in unstructured social activities and other problem behaviors.
Conclusions:
Alcohol use was prevalent among adolescents residing in China. The findings underscore the need for and importance of intervention efforts targeting alcohol consumption among early adolescents in China.