Citation

Stafstrom M, Ostergren PO, Larsson S. J. Stud. Alcohol 2005; 66(6): 776-783.

Affiliation

Department of Health Sciences, Section of Social Medicine and Global Health, Lund University, UMAS, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden. martin.stafstrom@med.lu.se

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Rutgers Center of Alcohol Studies)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16459939

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the impact and possible causal interrelationships of psychological, psychosocial and socioeconomic factors on frequent high consumption of alcoholic beverages in a Swedish secondary-school student population. METHOD: A cross-sectional study via questionnaire was administered to 1,384 high school students in Trelleborg, Sweden, from 1999 to 2001 (658 boys, 726 girls; response rates, 84.6% in 1999, 89.3% in 2000 and 91.7% in 2001). Logistic regression analyzed the relationship between various risk factors and frequent high alcohol consumption. RESULTS: Interest in trying drugs was the strongest indicator for frequent high alcohol consumption, after adjusting for age, socioeconomic status and psychosocial risk factors (boys: odds ratio (OR) = 3.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.5-6.0; girls: OR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.8-3.9). This variable also had the highest population-attributable fraction (PAF; boys = 39%, girls = 29%). High purchasing power increased the risk of frequent high alcohol consumption (boys: OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.4-3.0; PAF = 25%; girls: OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1-2.3; PAF = 16%). The association between high alcohol consumption and psychosocial factors differed by gender. Participation in organized team sports was associated with increased risk among boys (OR = 3.0, 95% CI: 2.0-4.7; PAF = 32%), but not girls (OR = 1.0, 95% CI: 0.7-1.5; PAF = 0%). Parental acceptance of alcohol consumption was more important for the latter (girls: OR =1.7, 95% CI: 1.2-2.3; PAF = 27%; boys: OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.0-2.1; PAF = 21%). CONCLUSIONS: Psychological, psychosocial and socioeconomic elements were independent risk factors for frequent high alcohol consumption. Discrepancies in risk factor patterns between boys and girls suggest alternate approaches be considered in interventiods.

Language: en