Trends in alcohol consumption among school-aged adolescents in Spain (2010-2018)

Abstract

Objective: To analyze trends in beer, wine, and distilled spirits consumption, as well as drunkenness among school-aged adolescents in Spain from 2010 to 2018 by sex and age. Method: The sample is composed of 35,310 adolescents aged 15 to 18. The data is representative of the adolescent school population in Spain in 2010, 2014, and 2018. The alcohol consumption questionnaire and the drunkenness questionnaire provided by the international team of the study were employed. Prevalence Ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using Poisson regression models with robust variance. Results: the data show a general decrease in alcohol consumption (beer, wine, as well as distilled spirits) and in drunkenness, but the decrease mainly occurs between 2010 and 2014. Sex differences (higher consumption and drunkenness among boys) are found among adolescents aged 17-18 but not in the age group of 15-16 years old. Older adolescents show higher levels of consumption and drunkenness than younger adolescents. Conclusion: The results confirm the relevance of carrying out specific analyses in order to identify risk groups which are not detected through general analyses. This data highlights the need to maintain alcohol prevention and control policies due to the risk of stabilization in alcohol-related behaviours.