Objective: To describe the prevalence of access to cigarettes, alcohol, or illegal drugs in the home and its association with use and other health-risk behaviors among adolescents.
Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from the 1995 in-home survey of the national Add Health study which used a nationally representative school-based sample (N=6,504) of adolescents in grades 7-12. We used logistic regression analyses, adjusted for gender, race/ethnicity and age, to examine the associations between access to cigarettes, alcohol or illegal drugs in the home and the risk behaviors involving those variables.
Results: Overall, 2,067 (32%) adolescents reported having easy access to cigarettes in the home, 1,817 (28%) had access to alcohol and 189 (3%) had access to illegal drugs. Associations were found between easy home access to alcohol and drinking during the past 12 months (Adj. OR=2.16, 95% CI=1.89-2.47), ever being drunk at school (Adj. OR=2.33, 95% CI=1.85-2.95), and ever driving drunk (Adj. OR=1.64, 95% CI=1.29-2.09). Associations were also found between home access to cigarettes and smoking regularly (Adj. OR=2.55, 95% CI=2.20-2.95) and home access to drugs and ever using drugs (Adj. OR=6.07, 95% CI=4.12-8.94).
Conclusions: Easy access to cigarettes and alcohol is prevalent among adolescents and is associated with health-risk behaviors. Prevention efforts should inform parents about limiting access to cigarettes and alcohol to adolescents in order to reduce the occurrence of risky behaviors.
Learning Objectives: 1. List prevalence of youth access to alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs in the home. 2. Discuss the link between access to alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs in the home and substance use. 3. Develop prevention programs informing parents about the increased risks of adolescents using substances if available in the home
Keywords: Adolescents, Risky Behaviors
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.