Prevalence and factors associated with experimentation and consumption of alcoholic drinks among adolescent students

Abstract Introduction Alcohol, despite being a psychoactive substance, is widely experienced and consumed by adolescents in several countries, including Brazil. Therefore, it is essential to identify the contributing factors to the occurrence of this problem. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the prevalence and factors associated with experimentation and consumption of alcoholic drinks among adolescent students. Method It is an epidemiological research, cross-sectional, held with 834 High School adolescents from public schools in urban and rural areas of the city of Jequié, Bahia. The data collection took place from self-administered questionnaire. The sample was a systematic random. Data were analyzed from descriptive statistics and regression logistics. Results The prevalence of experimentation of alcohol (80.75%) and alcohol consumption (37.75) was higher in males 57.91% and 59.66%, respectively. Of the factors with statistically significant positive association, the tobacco experience had greater impact on experiencing (PR=1.31; 95% CI=1.25-1.37) and consumption (PR=2.08; CI95=1.75 to 2.47%) of alcoholic beverages. Conclusion among the adolescents surveyed, the prevalence of alcohol experiencing and consumption is high, requiring actions to minimize especially the main associated factors.