Abstract

RUEDA-JAIMES, Germán Eduardo; PINTO RAMIREZ, Jessica Liliana; RANGEL MARTINEZ-VILLALBA, Andrés Mauricio  and  CAMACHO LOPEZ, Paul Anthony. Alcohol abuse and associated factors in student children and adolescents. rev.colomb.psiquiatr. [online]. 2012, vol.41, n.2, pp.273-283. ISSN 0034-7450.

Introduction: Previous studies have confirmed high prevalence of alcohol abuse in adolescent students from Bucaramanga, Colombia. However, few studies on the associated factors have been carried out. Objective: Assessment of prevalence of alcohol abuse and associated factors in student children and adolescents from Bucaramanga. Methodology: A random sample of adolescent students completed an anonymous questionnaire about the consumption of alcohol, illegal and legal substances, together with the CAGE questionnaire and a series of scales and questionnaires assessing risk factors for alcohol abuse. To adjust for confusing variables, a multivariate analysis was performed using a logistic regression model. Results: 2916 students were surveyed with an average age between 10 and 22, and a mean of 14.4 years (SD 1.65), 51.1% were female, 36% were in the last two years of high school (10^th and 11^th grades), and 17.66% were in private schools. The alcohol abuse pattern as measured by the CAGE scale was 14.6% (95% CI, 13.3 - 16.0%). The associated factors were: age (OR: 1.15, 95% CI 1.04 - 1.27), having a smoking or consuming alcohol sibling(OR: 1.48, 95% CI, 1.01 - 1.17) antisocial behavior (OR 3.03, 95% CI, 2.12 - 4.32) and best friend who uses illicit substances (OR 1.71, 95% CI, 1.06 - 2.76), best friend who smokes or drinks alcohol (OR 2.01, 95% CI, 1.40 - 2.88). Conclusions: One out of 7 students showed a pattern of alcohol abuse. The associated factors were the influence of friends, family, age and antisocial behavior.

Keywords : Alcohol abuse; adolescents; students; epidemiology.

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