Decline in alcohol use among adolescents in Slovakia: a reason for optimism?

Abstract Objectives To analyze selected indicators of alcohol use (lifetime use, initiation of drinking at ≤13 years of age, weekly use, beverage preferences, initiation of drunkenness at ≤13 years of age and lifetime drunkenness) in adolescents in Slovakia from 2006 to 2014. Study design The Health...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Public health (London) 2016-10, Vol.139, p.203-208
Main Authors: Baška, T, Madarasová-Gecková, A, Bašková, M, Krajčovič, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescents
Alcohol drinking
Alcohol Drinking - epidemiology
Alcohol Drinking - legislation & jurisprudence
Alcohol Drinking - psychology
Alcoholic Beverages - utilization
Alcoholic Intoxication - epidemiology
Alcoholic Intoxication - psychology
Child
Consumer Behavior - statistics & numerical data
Cross-Sectional Studies
Epidemiology
Female
Humans
Infectious Disease
Internal Medicine
Male
Policy
Public Policy
Slovakia - epidemiology
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:Abstract Objectives To analyze selected indicators of alcohol use (lifetime use, initiation of drinking at ≤13 years of age, weekly use, beverage preferences, initiation of drunkenness at ≤13 years of age and lifetime drunkenness) in adolescents in Slovakia from 2006 to 2014. Study design The Health Behaviour in School Aged Children (HBSC) study is a cross-sectional questionnaire study. Methods A standardized uniform questionnaire was used in representative samples of 11-, 13- and 15-year-old adolescents. In Slovakia, the HBSC study was undertaken in 2006 ( n  = 3972), 2010 ( n  = 5089) and 2014 ( n  = 4369). Results Over the study period, decreases were observed in weekly drinking (from 34.3% to 21.0% in 15-year-old boys and from 22.1% to 11.9% in 15-year-old girls), lifetime drinking and initiation of drinking at ≤13 years of age. In terms of beverage preferences, the reduction in beer consumption was most notable. Approximately one-third of respondents got drunk for the first time at ≤13 years of age, and this remained consistent throughout the study period. Conclusions The declining trend in alcohol use among adolescents in Slovakia may reflect a progressive change in the social environment and is attributable, at least in part, to policy improvements such as pricing and stricter legislation and enforcement.
ISSN:0033-3506
1476-5616
DOI:10.1016/j.puhe.2016.08.003