Factors associated with the consumption of alcoholic beverages by adolescents from a Public School in Maringá, Paraná State - DOI: 10.4025/actascihealthsci.v30i2.917

Abstract

Nowadays, there is a trend towards the increase in alcoholic beverage consumption, mainly by adolescents. In this study, factors associated with the consumption of alcoholic beverage by adolescents from a Public sSchool were identified. The data were collected by means for individual interviews conducted by questionnaire. In the group of adolescents who consume alcoholic beverages, it was verified that often guardians or parents are aware of this consumption, and 32.30% of adolescents admitted they began the habit of drinking with family members, while the remainder declared it was the influence of friends. Wine and beer were the most consumed alcoholic beverages by adolescents. These results demonstrate that society is permissive towards the habit of teenage drinking. This consumption might be an attempt to avoid the difficulties of social settings, but it must be emphasized that the consumption of these substances increases the possibility of young people displaying risk behaviors, leading to involvement with car accidents. For this reason, the establishment of educational programs aimed at adolescents as well as their parents or guardians are necessary, in order to raise awareness of the harmful effects of the excess alcohol consumption.