Cambios en el consumo alcohólico de riesgo en población adolescente en la última década (2004-2013): una aproximación cuanti-cualitativa

OBJECTIVE: To determine the changes in hazardous drinking in adolescents in the last decade, as well as their motivations and experiences. DESIGN: Firstly, a descriptive design using a self-report questionnaire, and secondly an explanatory qualitative design, with video recordings of discussion groups with content analysis (coding, triangulation of categories and verification of results). SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Pupils from an urban High School, administering a questionnaire every 3 years from 2004 to 2013. Purposive sampling was used to elect groups in qualitative design. Homogeneity criteria: education level; heterogeneity criteria: age, gender, and drug use. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Questionnaire: age, gender, drug use, and the CAGE test. Interviews: semi-structured on a previous script, evaluating experiences and expectations. RESULTS: Descriptive design: A total of 1,558 questionnaires, age 14.2 ± 0.3 years, 50% female. The prevalence of alcohol drinking decreases (13%), but its hazardous use increases (11%; P < .001, χ(2)). This is associated with being female (P < .01 χ(2)), higher alcohol consumption (> 6 standard drink units weekly; P < .001, ANOVA), during the weekend (56%; P < .01, χ(2)) and multiple drug use (P < .01, χ(2)). CAGE questionnaire: 37% ≥ 1 positive response (related to hazardous drinking, P < .05 χ(2)), 18% ≥ 2 answers. QUALITATIVE: A total of 48 respondents, classified into 4 categories: personal factors (age, gender), social influences (family, friends), consumption standards (accessibility, nightlife), and addiction (risk, multiple drug use). CONCLUSION: Despite the decrease in the prevalence of alcohol drinking, the increase in the percentage of the hazardous drinking is a public health problem. It is related to being female, binge-drinking, and multiple drug use. Nightlife and social standards are the main reasons given by adolescents, who have no perception of risk.