Availability of alcohol for children and youth in Prague

Background: Alcohol usage is a common patological behaviour among youth throughout the whole world. In adolescents many are subjected to first experiments and risk adverse health consequences on their development, which they cannot fully comprehend. Czech people are one of the most drinking nations. Heavy alcohol consumption is related to availability. Means to reduce alcohol availability include raising the minimal legal age, reducing density of licenced outlets, pricing policy, law enforcement and regulations on alcohol marketing. Aims: The study aims to discover the patterns of alcohol usage among youths in Prague and how subjectively accessible alcohol is. Methods: Data were collected in February 2020 by questionnaire inquiry. Population consisted of children and youths (of ages 11-17), clients of drop-in centers in Prague, who have had an experience with alcohol. The sample consisted of 100 respondents. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and displayed by graphs and tables. Results: The most common alcohol among respondents is hard liquor (57%). Twenty-eight percent of respondents said they drank alcohol at least once a week. Usually they buy it themselves (41%) and they drink outside (56%). Most respondents (37%) said that they never have problem getting alcohol and usually buy it in..