Acute alcohol poisoning in Bulgarian adolescents

Abstract

Objectives To analyze the medico-social characteristics of acute alcohol poisoning in Bulgarian adolescents. Methods We studied patients under 18 years old with acute alcohol poisoning who were hospitalized during the period 2006-2008. Data were retrieved from hospital records. The initial blood ethanol level was measured by thin-layer chromatography. Psychiatric interview and inquiry methods were used. Results The study included 137 adolescents (77 boys, 60 girls) with an average age of 14.91±1.45 years. Blood ethanol level was over 2.00 mg/ mL in 40.2% of cases. Adolescents most often used one type of alcoholic beverage. First alcohol consumption was at the age of 12 years and 10 months (boys), and 13 years (girls). The most frequent reason for alcohol consumption was meeting with friends. It was found that 60% of the patients were the first-born child in the family. The patients' preferred musical styles varied, and they preferred watching movies, mainly comedies for their free time (64.2%). The majority of the patients were raised in a family with more than one child (68.6%) and in non-separated families with both parents present (64%). The patients' parents predominantly had a secondary-level education (79.7%) and both parents were employed in 53.3% of the cases. Conclusions The research concerns the important medico-social problem of alcohol poisoning among adolescents. Health professionals need to be able to identify adolescents who are experiencing difficulties with alcohol. Applying the methods of preventive medicine and clinical toxicology the results of this study indicate a certain social need for further information on the extent and character of the phenomena of adolescent alcohol use and abuse.