 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Edessa C. Jobli, MPH, CHES, Chudley E Werch, PhD, Michele J. Moore, PhD, Heather Dore, PHD, Gemi Butler, BS, and Joan M. Carlson, MSW. Center for Drug Prevention Research, University of North Florida, 4567 St. Johns Bluff Road South, Jacksonville, FL 32224
The study objectives were to: 1) compare differences in choices of drinking locations by gender, ethnicity, age and socioeconomic status (SES); and 2) determine drinking locations that predict patterns of alcohol abuse, problems and violence. Participants included 346 high school students who reported drinking in the last month. Fifty six percent were females, 17% were from low SES, and mean age was 15.69 (SD = 1.2). Fifty six percent were Whites, 30% were Blacks, and 12% were from other ethnicities. Participants completed a confidential questionnaire administered at schools. Significant demographic differences showed Whites and students from other ethnicities were more likely to drink at home, public facility, school, friend's house, party, non-school related events and during outdoor activities than Blacks. Students from higher SES preferred drinking at a friend's house and party. No significant differences were noted for gender and age. Logistic regression analyses predicted alcohol abuse patterns, problems and violence by drinking locations. Predictors for heavy use included drinking at parties, public facility, friend's house and during outdoor activities, and for chugging, drinking at parties, public facility, friend's house, and school-sponsored events. Predictors for alcohol-related problems included drinking at friend's house, public facility and during outdoor activities; and for violence, drinking at parties, public facility and during outdoor activities. These results indicated choices of where to drink differ by race and SES, affects drinking practices, and influences incidence of alcohol problems and violence. Future intervention programs should address avoiding environments associated with greater risk of harm from alcohol misuse.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Alcohol Use, Adolescents
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.