The prevalence of alcohol consumption during early adolescence: a cross-sectional study in an eastern province, Thailand

Abstract

This cross-sectional study identified and described the prevalence of alcohol consumption among early adolescents (10–14 years). The participants were 9,509 early adolescents from Chonburi province, Thailand. Of all the adolescents, 31.01% had experience with alcohol drinking, while the current drinkers were 10.94%. Girls were more likely to drink and the amount of current drinkers increased with age (p < 0.001). Adolescents living with divorced family, single parents and neither close to both of their parents were more likely to drink in the past year (p < 0.001). The starting age for drinking was 11.31 years ± 1.82; boys were younger (10.97 years) than girls (11.55 years). Alcohol consumption tends to be quite high in Thai’s early adolescents, especially girls. This study can inform parents, health care providers, school directors, and local administrative organizations, for addressing alcohol prevention activities, increasing efforts to delay and to reduce early alcohol use.