El fenómeno del botellón: Análisis descriptivo y posibles implicaciones a partir de una muestra de adolescentes gallegos

• Published in: Revista española de salud pública 2020 (94)
• Main Authors: Varela Mallou, Jesús, Gandoy Crego, Manuel, Braña Tobío, Teresa, Isorna Folgar, Manuel, García Couceiro, Nuria, Rial Boubeta, Antonio
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescente; Binge drinking; Botellón; Consumo intensivo de alcohol; Epidemiologic factors; Variables epidemiológicas
• ISSN: 1135-5727

Background: Botellón has established itself as a recreational ritual of great importance in the leisure of young people and it has contributed to the expansion of a worrying pattern of alcohol and other substances consumption. However, there are few papers that take an integrated approach to this issue. The aim of this work was to have new data to characterize this practice, while providing evidence of its consequences and identifying relevant prognostic factors for prevention. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 4,867 Galician adolescents between 12 and 18 years of age (Mean=14.68; SD=1.67). Data were collected in schools through an ad hoc questionnaire and they were analyzed through of a bivariate tabulation, with the application of the opportune contrasts according to the nature of the variables. Results: 27.3% of the teenagers in the sample went to botellón during the last year. 96.6% admitted to drinking alcohol when they went to a botellón, 53.4% alcohol and tobacco and 30.2% three or more substances. This practice was associated with significantly higher rates of Intensive Alcohol Consumption (28% vs. 0.9%), as well as of consumption of risk of alcohol, cannabis and drugs in general. The modulating role of variables such as risk perception and beliefs and expectations associated with consumption, money available or time of arrival at home was also found. Conclusions: At least 1 in 4 teenagers continue to go to botellones. This practice associated with risky consumption. The evidence found reinforces the multidimensional nature of the problem and suggests reorienting prevention policies. Fundamentos: El botellón se ha consolidado como un ritual recreativo de gran importancia en el ocio de los jóvenes y ha contribuido a la expansión de un patrón preocupante de consumo de alcohol y otras sustancias. Pese a ello, son escasos los trabajos que lo aborden de manera integral. Este trabajo se planteó con el objetivo disponer de nuevos datos que permitan caracterizar dicha práctica, al tiempo que aportar evidencias sobre sus consecuencias e identificar factores de pronóstico relevantes para la prevención. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal con una muestra de 4.867 adolescentes gallegos de entre 12 y 18 años (Media=14,68; DT=1,67). Los datos se recogieron en centros escolares mediante un cuestionario elaborado ad hoc y fueron analizados mediante una tabulación bivariada, con la aplicación de los contrastes oportunos e