Abstract
The prevalence of alcohol consumption among Australian secondary students in 1993 was estimated from a survey of 22 696 students aged between 12 and 17 years. A random, representative sample of schools from all education systems (government, Catholic and independent) was selected and a sample of 80 students from each school was randomly selected from predetermined year levels. Students completed an anonymous, self-administered survey on their drinking behaviours. Results showed that drinking was common, with 46% of female and 50% of male 17-year-olds having drunk on at least one of the 7 days prior to the survey (defined as current drinkers). Among 12–17-year-olds who were current drinkers, 27% of males had five or more alcoholic drinks on at least one drinking (“heavy drinking”) while 43% of girls had had three or more drinks (“heavy drinking”). Among current drinkers aged 12–15 years, 10% of boys and 12% of girls had “binged” (for boys drinking eight or more drinks in one session, for girls having six or more drinks at one session) while among current drinkers aged 16 and 17 years the corresponding proportions were 33% of boys and 30% of girls. After controlling for age, sex, school type and state, the proportion of 12–15-year-olds who were current drinkers rose from 24% to 26% between 1990 and 1993. Among 16 and 17-year-olds, the proportion of current drinkers in 1993 (47%) was the same as that found in 1990, although there were more heavy drinkers and binge drinkers in 1993 than in 1990.