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327333
Prevalence of alcohol sipping and its association with alcohol drinking among underserved children and young adolescents in an out-of-school-time program


Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Frank Snyder, PhD, MPH, Department of Health and Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Meghan McDonough, PhD, Department of Health and Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Lindley McDavid, Ph.D., Evaluation and Learning Research Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Background: Sipping alcohol is one of the first substance use behaviors in children, yet few studies have explored this behavior. In particular, researchers have not examined this behavior among a multi-ethnic and predominately Hispanic population of underserved youth in a structured out-of-school-time (OST) setting. OST settings have served as useful venues for health promotion interventions, and hold potential for addressing early substance use when a demonstrated need exists. We examined the prevalence of alcohol sipping and drinking in underserved children and young adolescents to determine the need for programming that addresses early prevention of these behaviors. Further, we examined the association of sipping and other risk and protective factors with drinking alcohol.

Methods: Data were collected from a cross-sectional sample of 331 underserved children and young adolescents (154 girls) aged 7­–15 participating in OST activities. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association of risk (e.g., alcohol sipping, negative peer influence, alcohol use norms, attitudes toward drinking, perceived parental alcohol attitudes) and protective factors (e.g., positive social relationships) with drinking (i.e., more than a sip/taste of alcohol) by age 15.

Results: Thirty-three percent reported sipping alcohol in a nonreligious context and, among these children, nearly half (48.5%) reported sipping by age 8. Twelve percent of the total sample reported drinking alcohol by age 15. Gender and race/ethnicity were unrelated to sipping or drinking alcohol. Drinking related significantly to sipping alcohol (AOR: 11.36; 95%CI: 4.56–28.31), alcohol use norms (AOR: 2.90; 95%CI: 1.30–6.44), and attitudes toward drinking (AOR: 2.93; 95%CI: 1.25–6.83), controlling for risk and protective factors, and demographics.

Conclusions: Sipping alcohol was prevalent and associated with drinking alcohol. This study suggests a need for early programs that address sipping and drinking alcohol, particularly among this multi-ethnic and predominately Hispanic population of underserved youth.

Learning Areas:

Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Epidemiology
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning

Learning Objectives:
Describe the prevalence of alcohol sipping and drinking among underserved children and young adolescents. Demonstrate that sipping alcohol during childhood is associated with drinking while controlling for other risk and protective factors and demographics.

Keyword(s): Children and Adolescents, Alcohol Use

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present this research because it is part of my program of research as an Assistant Professor at Purdue University. In addition, I have been involved in federally funded research projects focusing on positive youth development and health risk behaviors.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 5002.0: Child and adolescent alcohol use: risk and protective factors for alcohol use