Alcohol use among 15–16-year-old adolescents in Estonia, 2003–2015

Abstract

Abstract Background Alcohol is one of the most common psychoactive substances used by adolescents. The aim of the study was to describe the prevalence of alcohol use in 2003-2015 and to analyse association of alcohol use with family- and school-related factors, other risk behaviors, and perceived alcohol availability. Methods This study was based on data of 15-16-year-old adolescents (n = 9559) from the cross-sectional studies of European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs conducted in Estonia in 2003-2015. Prevalence of past 30-day alcohol use was calculated for each study year. Chi-square test for trend was used to assess statistically significant changes of alcohol use over the study period. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyse association between alcohol use and study year, family- and school-related factors, risk behaviors, and perceived alcohol availability. Fully adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results In 2003-2015, alcohol use decreased significantly among adolescents in Estonia (p < 0.001). In 2015, the prevalence of alcohol use was 36.1% (95% CI 33.4 − 38.8) among boys and 39.1% (95% CI 36.3 − 41.8) among girls. Fully adjusted logistic regression models showed that alcohol use among boys and girls was statistically significantly associated with study year, lower parental awareness where the child spends Saturday evenings, skipping the lessons, smoking, cannabis use and easy access to alcohol. Alcohol use was associated with lower socioeconomic status of the family and with unusual family structure among girls only. Compared to the first study year, alcohol use was lower in the last study year (OR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.43 − 0.64 among boys, OR = 0.46, 95% CI 0.38 − 0.56 among girls). Conclusions In order to continue reduction of alcohol use among adolescents, the health promotion interventions should take into account the factors related to alcohol use in Estonia. Key messages Alcohol use decreased among adolescents in Estonia in 2003–2015. Alcohol use was associated with study year, family- and school-related factors, other risk behaviors and perceived alcohol availability.