PREVALÊNCIA DO USO DE ÁLCOOL E FATORES ASSOCIADOS EM ADOLESCENTES ENTRE 11 A 15 ANOS DA ZONA URBANA DE PELOTAS, RS

by STRAUCH, ELIANE SCHNEIDER

PurposeTo estimate the prevalence and factors associated to alcohol consumptionin teenagers from 11 to 15 years old.MethodsA cross-sectional population-based study was carried out in 2006, inPelotas, RS. A self-report anonymous questionnaire designed by CEBRID wasapplied, according to the WHO instrument for drug use. The analysis wasadjusted by Poisson Regression.Results1145 adolescents were interviewed. It was not possible to finish theinterview in 7.8%. Among the 1056 who answered the questions related toalcohol, 23% (CI 95% 20.4 to 25.4) reported alcohol consumption in the lastmonth, 21,7% among girls and 24,2% among boys. The prevalence of alcoholconsumption among 11-year olds was 12.4%. After controlling for confounders,among boys tobacco use, to be older than 14 and to be sexually active remainedassociated to the outcome, while among girls only being older than 14 wasassociated.32ConclusionsAlcoholic beverages are highly consumed precociously among boys andgirls. Epidemiological information on this issue may help targeting populationgroups at risk. The health profile of teenagers is changing and becoming animmeasurable public health problem