The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

3284.0: Monday, November 11, 2002 - Board 9

Abstract #33702

Trends in alcohol drinking, drunkenness, and parental attitudes toward drinking among adolescents in Lyon, France

Annie J. Sasco, MD DrPH, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 150, cours Albert Thomas 69008, Lyon, France and Ray M. Merrill, PhD, MPH, Department of Health Science, Brigham Young University, 213 Richards Building, Provo, UT 84602, 801-378-9788, sasco@iarc.fr.

A limited number of studies have examined alcohol drinking among adolescents in France. Extensive individual and social costs associated with heavy alcohol drinking, makes it an important public health issue. This paper evaluates trends in alcohol drinking, drunkenness, and parental attitudes toward alcohol drinking in adolescents, grades 5ème (mean age 12.3 years) through Terminale (mean age 17.4 years) in Lyon, France. Three schools were followed for six years, with 3,049 total questionnaires obtained by administration of the questionnaires at the beginning of each successive school year. Increasing trends in alcohol use and drunkenness were observed for both boys and girls. By grade Terminale, approximately 80% of girls and boys reported having consumed alcohol within the past month. Boys experienced a higher level of drinking alcohol at least once per week and having been drunk than girls. Students perceived a high level of parental acceptance toward drinking. For grades 3ème through Terminale, boys reported that drinking was allowed with the family 68% of the time and allowed with friends 43% of the time. Percentages were generally similar to those reported by girls. Based on multivariate analysis, factors positively associated with alcohol consumption were: being a boy, older age, regularly listening to music, and tobacco or illicit drug use. For grades 1ère and Terminale, primary factors positively associated with episodes of drunkenness were being a boy, older age, and tobacco use.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) will be able to

Keywords: Alcohol Problems, Adolescent Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.

Alcohol and Other Drug Use among Teens: Environmental and Resilience Factors Poster Session

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA