NCJ Number
178643
Journal
Journal of Adolescent Health Volume: 24 Issue: 1 Dated: January 1999 Pages: 48-58
Date Published
January 1999
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study identified specific alcohol-use beliefs and behaviors among local high school students to determine whether relationships existed between alcohol use and various sociodemographic and lifestyle behaviors, as well as to assist in the development and implementation of alcohol abuse prevention
Abstract
This cross-sectional study involved the completion of a questionnaire by 1,236 grade 9-13 students (86-percent response rate) from 62 randomly selected classrooms in three Canadian urban schools. Data analyzed were part of a larger lifestyle survey. A total of 24 percent of students reported never having tasted alcohol; 22 percent had tasted alcohol but did not currently drink; 39 percent were current moderate drinkers; 11 percent were current heavy drinkers (five or more drinks on one occasion at least once a month); and 5 percent did not answer. Reasons stated most often for not drinking were "bad for health" and "upbringing," and reasons stated most often for drinking were "enjoy it" and "to get in a party mood." Students drinking patterns were significantly related to gender, ethnicity, grade, and the reported drinking habits of parents and friends. Older male adolescents who described their ethnicity as Canadian were at higher risk for heavy drinking than students who were younger or female, or identified their ethnicity as European or Asian. Current heavy drinkers were at higher risk than other students for engaging in other high-risk behaviors such as drinking and driving, being a passenger in a car when the driver is intoxicated, and daily smoking. The authors conclude that heavy alcohol use by adolescents remains an important community health concern. Older self-described Canadian and Canadian-born male adolescents were at higher risk for heavy drinking. Current and heavy drinking increased significantly between grades 9 and 12. Students who drank heavily were more likely to drink and drive, to smoke daily, and to have had friends and parents who drank alcohol. 8 tables and 37 references