Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of alcohol use and related risk factors among school aged children.
Method: This cross-sectional study was carried out during March 2004. Minimum sample size was calculated as 1922 and 2004 children were enrolled. Stratified random sampling method was used. This sampling method was applied to grade 9 in high schools and grades 5 and 7 in primary schools of Manisa City Center. Data were collected self reported under inspection in classes by using the modified Turkish version of 'Health Behaviour in School Age Children (HBSC) 2001/2002' survey questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows 10.0.
Results: The prevalance of alcohol use at least once in life time was 11.0% among school aged childeren. Usage of alcohol experience age was 11.66+ 2,76 in students. 68.3% of students whose were experienced usage of alcohol, were experessed that they were still using of alcohol. The significant factors in experince of using alcohol were insufficiency in family income, advanced age, being male, experience of smoking and alcohol using/smoking in friends.
Conclusion: The experience of using alcohol in school aged childeren were increased significantly with advanced aged and frequency of experience of smoking/alcohol using in friends. These factors should be taken in account in intervention programmes in alcohol using.

Key words: alcohol use, adolescent, risk behaviour

Article Language: Turkish English