Factors predictive of alcohol consumption among senior high school students in Phayao province, Thailand

Abstract

Objectives: To identify factors predictive of alcohol consumption among senior high school students in Phayao province, Thailand, where there is a high prevalence of alcohol consumption among adolescents.

Methods: A cross-sectional study in which 317 grade 11 senior high school students participated in a survey during June 2012. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews. Chi-square and multivariate logistic regression were used to determine the factors predictive of alcohol consumption among the subjects.

Results: Over two-thirds of the students (66.9%) had consumed alcohol in their lifetime, 58.7% in the previous year and 17.4% in the previous month. Following univariate analysis, seven factors – gender, age, GPA, allowance, first age of drinking, peer drinking and alcohol knowledge were identified as being significantly associated with drinking (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed four factors to be predictive of alcohol among high school students: peer drinking (OR = 3.59, 95%CI = 1.99–6.44), alcohol knowledge (OR = 2.64, 95%CI = 1.47–4.72), GPA ≥ 2.5 (OR = 0.32, 95%CI = 0.16–0.64) and allowance (OR = 0.15, 95%CI = 0.04–0.58).

Conclusion: Peer drinking was the strongest predictor of adolescent alcohol consumption, while alcohol knowledge had negative correlation with alcohol consumption. Hence, peer influence and appropriate alcohol knowledge should be considered as key areas in attempts to reduce alcohol consumption among senior high school students.

• Alcohol consumption
• factors
• predictive
• senior high school
• students
• Thailand

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the participants for taking part in the study.