Álcool e adolescentes: estudo para implementar políticas municipais

Earlier Alcohol Use and Lower Neuropsychological Performance in Brazilian Adolescence: Is the School Environment Related to This?

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate impulsivity, inhibitory control, and alcohol use in preadolescents and adolescents aged 10 to 16 from public and private schools.

METHODS

Participants were 190 adolescents selected from public and private schools in Brazil. Neuropsychological measures related to impulsivity (i.e., Barratt Impulsiveness Scale), inhibitory control (i.e., Go/No-go Task), and processing speed (i.e., Five Digits Test) were assessed.

RESULTS

60% of the sample had started drinking alcohol. Early alcohol consumption is not influenced by type of school, indicating that adolescents consume alcohol early, regardless of the type of education or income. Although there were significant differences in neuropsychological performance between types of schools, better neuropsychological performance was found in students from private schools.

CONCLUSIONS

When comparing consumption of alcohol among public and private school students, there were no significant differences, perhaps because the use of early alcohol can be a public health problem. Private school students may perform better in inhibitory control task because they have a good school environment, which serves as a protective factor.

[Evaluation of the Brazilian version of the CRAFFT/CESARE scale for screening drug use by adolescents]

The scope of this article is to present the Brazilian version of the CRAFFT scale for screening drug use among adolescents and to assess its comprehensibility. It is a descriptive and quantitative study, which evaluated the applicability of the Brazilian version of the CRAFFT scale through a convenience sample of adolescents aged 14-21 enrolled at two technical schools. Three main aspects were evaluated: difficulty in understanding the scale; the validity of the translated scale comparing a subsample (28,8%) that also filled out the CEBRID questionnaire; and the percentage of adolescents who scored positive on the CRAFFT/CESARE using the pre-established cutoff point. The kappa coefficient was applied to establish correspondence between questionnaires and the ROC curve was used to evaluate the psychometric differences within different cutoffs. The CRAFFT/CESARE scale was applied in 2005 students, of which 1882 are within the defined age bracket. Only 2.2% of adolescents had difficulty in understanding the questions. The specificity of the CRAFFT/CESARE scale was 73.3%, and sensitivity was 87.1%. The concordance degree (Kappa) was considered good (0.461). The CRAFFT/CESARE scored positive in 36.2% of the adolescents.

Risk of alcohol dependence: prevalence, related problems and socioeconomic factors

The present study evaluated the possible alcohol dependence and related problems among adolescents and determined possible associations with socioeconomic factors and gender. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative sample of 936 adolescents aged 15 to 19 years enrolled at public and private schools in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Data related to alcohol consumption and associated problems were collected using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT). The Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), mother's schooling and type of school were used to assess socioeconomic factors. Statistical analysis involved the chi-square test (p < 0.05) and Poisson regression. The prevalence of possible dependence was 16.4%, 52.1% reported concern of a family member regarding the adolescent's alcohol consumption. Female adolescents were less likely to exhibit possible dependence in comparison to males. Participants with living in a low vulnerability area were more likely to consume alcohol in comparison to those living in underprivileged areas. The results of the present study demonstrate that possible dependence was significantly associated with the male gender and low social vulnerability.

Binge drinking: a pattern associated with a risk of problems of alcohol use among university students

Objective:

to evaluate problems associated with alcohol use among university students who reported binge drinking in comparison to students who consumed alcohol without binging.

Method:

a cross-sectional study among university students (N=2,408) who accessed the website about alcohol use. Logistic and linear regression models were included in the statistical analyzes.

Results:

alcohol use in the last three months was reported by 89.2% of university students; 51.6% reported binge drinking. Compared to students who did not binge drink, university students who presented this pattern were more likely to report all evaluated problems, among them: black out (aOR: 5.4); having academic problems (aOR: 3.4); acting impulsively and having regrets (aOR: 2.9); getting involved in fights (aOR: 2.6); drinking and driving (aOR: 2.6) and accepting a ride with someone who had drunk alcohol (aOR: 1.8). Students who binged also had higher scores on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (b=4.6; p<0.001), more negative consequences (b=1.0; p<0.001) and a reduced perception of the negativity of the consequences (b=-0.5; p<0.01).

Conclusion:

binge drinking was associated with an increase in the chances of manifesting problems related to alcohol use. The conclusions of this study cannot be generalized for all of the Brazilian population.

Objetivo:

avaliar problemas associados ao uso de álcool entre universitários que relataram binge drinking em comparação a estudantes que consumiram álcool sem binge drinking.

Método:

estudo transversal entre universitários (N=2.408) que acessaram website sobre o uso de álcool. Nas análises estatísticas incluíram-se modelos de regressão logística e linear.

Resultados:

o uso de álcool, nos últimos três meses, foi relatado por 89,2% dos universitários e 51,6% referiram uso binge. Comparados a estudantes que não praticaram binge, universitários que apresentaram esse padrão tiveram maior chance de relatar todos os problemas avaliados, entre eles: incapacidade de lembrar o que aconteceu (aOR:5,4); problemas acadêmicos (aOR:3,4); agir impulsivamente e se arrepender (aOR:2,9); envolver-se em brigas (aOR:2,6); dirigir após beber (aOR:2,6) e pegar carona com alguém que bebeu (aOR:1,8). Estudantes que consumiram álcool no padrão binge também apresentaram maior pontuação no Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (b=4,6; p<0,001), mais consequências negativas (b=1,0; p<0,001) e menos percepção da negatividade das consequências (b=-0,5; p<0,01).

Conclusão:

a prática de binge drinking esteve associada ao aumento das chances de manifestação de problemas relacionados ao uso de álcool. As conclusões deste estudo não podem ser reproduzidas para toda realidade brasileira.

Objetivo:

evaluar problemas asociados al uso de alcohol entre estudiantes universitarios que relataron binge drinking en comparación a estudiantes que consumieron alcohol sin binge drinking.

Método:

estudio transversal entre estudiantes universitarios (N=2.408) que visitaron una página web sobre el uso de alcohol. En los análisis estadísticos, fueron incluidos modelos de regresión logística y linear.

Resultados:

el uso de alcohol, en los últimos tres meses, fue relatado por 89,2% de los estudiantes universitarios, y entre ellos 51,6% relataron uso binge. En comparación a estudiantes universitarios que no practicaron binge, los estudiantes que presentaron ese estándar tuvieron una mayor oportunidad de relatar todos los problemas evaluados, entre ellos: incapacidad de recordar lo que sucedió (aOR:5,4); problemas académicos (aOR:3,4); actuar por impulso y arrepentirse (aOR:2,9); involucrarse en peleas (aOR:2,6); manejar después de beber (aOR:2,6) y compartieron viaje con alguien que bebió (aOR:1,8). Estudiantes que consumieron alcohol dentro del estándar binge también presentaron una mayor puntuación en el Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (b=4,6; p<0,001), más consecuencias negativas (b=1,0; p<0,001) y menor percepción de la negatividad de las consecuencias (b=-0,5; p<0,01).

Conclusión:

la práctica de binge drinking estuvo asociada al aumento de las oportunidades de manifestación de problemas relacionados al alcohol. Las conclusiones de este estudio no pueden ser adaptadas a toda la realidad brasileña.

Adverse childhood experiences and consumption of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs among adolescents of a Brazilian birth cohort

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs among adolescents from a Brazilian cohort. The occurrence of five ACEs, the use of alcohol and tobacco and trying illicit drugs were investigated in the 1993 Pelotas birth cohort at the age of 15 (n = 4,230). A score was created for the ACEs and their association with the use of substances was evaluated. Around 25% of adolescents consumed alcohol, 6% smoked and 2.1% reported having used drugs at least once in their lives. The ACEs were associated with the use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs. A dose-response relation between the number of ACEs and the substance use was found, particularly with regard to illicit drugs. The occurrence of ACEs was positively associated with the use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs among adolescents and the risk may be different for men and women. These results point to the fact that strategies for preventing the use of substances should include interventions both among adolescents and within the family environment.

Drug use and antisocial behavior among adolescents attending public schools in Brazil

INTRODUCTION

Drug use is a social and a public health problem that has been related with antisocial behavior. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between drug use and antisocial behavior among adolescents attending public schools in Brazil.

METHOD

A total of 7,176 adolescents from low-income neighborhoods and public schools aged 14 to 19 years were assessed in five geographical regions in Brazil. Data on biosociodemographic characteristics and on drug use and antisocial behavior were assessed from complete answers to a national survey on risk and protective factors among adolescents.

RESULTS

Over 80% of the adolescents who used alcohol and cigarettes were between 14 and 17 years old. The percentage of participants with antisocial behaviors was significantly higher among users of marijuana, cocaine, or crack than among adolescents who were not drug users.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevention programs aimed at reducing substance use might help to decrease antisocial behaviors.

Childhood alcohol use may predict adolescent binge drinking: a multivariate analysis among adolescents in Brazil

OBJECTIVES

To test the hypothesis that first alcohol use during childhood is associated with heavy drinking patterns during adolescence and with parental drinking patterns and parental rules about alcohol consumption.

STUDY DESIGN

A national cross-sectional survey of 17,371 high-school students. Students were drawn from 789 public and private schools in all the Brazilian state capitals using a multistage probabilistic sampling method and a self-report questionnaire. Weighted data were analyzed through logistic regression testing for differences on the associated factors for first use of alcohol during childhood. Survival analysis and Cox proportional hazard models were used to confirm results.

RESULTS

Among the 82% alcohol lifetime users, 11% had first used alcohol before age 12 years. The lack of perception of possible punishment by parents is associated with childhood alcohol use (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.67-2.95). Adolescents who first used alcohol during childhood compared with those who only used alcohol at later ages are more likely to engage in binge drinking behaviors (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.17-2.10), to have a pattern of heavy alcohol use (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.26-3.09), and to have recently used illegal drugs (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.39-2.16). According to hazard ratios, students with an earlier age of onset were more likely to have used tobacco and any illegal drug in the past year.

CONCLUSIONS

Childhood alcohol may be a risk factor for the most dangerous patterns of alcohol use in adolescence and is associated with parental alcohol use. Parental rules about child alcohol use must be clear because perception of punishment might delay the age of first alcohol use.

Prevalence of body image dissatisfaction and associated factors among physical education students

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of and factors associated with body image dissatisfaction among physical education students enrolled in a public university.

METHODS

This study evaluated 236 students and assessed body image perception (silhouette scale), sociodemographic variables (sex, age, parental education, marital status, university course, work, living arrangement, study shift, and income), physical activity level (International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Version), dietary habits, tobacco use, excessive intake of alcohol (questions from the tobacco, alcohol and drugs, and nutrition domains of the FANTASTIC instrument), and nutritional status (body mass index [BMI]). Descriptive analysis, the chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and crude and adjusted multinomial regression were used.

RESULTS

The prevalence of body image dissatisfaction was 69.5%; 44.1% were dissatisfied with excess weight. BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m² was associated with dissatisfaction with excess weight; factors associated with dissatisfaction with slimness were being male, eating an unhealthy diet, and smoking tobacco.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that female college students with a BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m² are more likely to present dissatisfaction with excess weight. Being male, eating an unhealthy diet, engaging in physical activity for < 739.61 min/week and smoking tobacco were the variables associated with dissatisfaction with thinness.

Binge drinking: um estudo bibliométrico (1999-2010) dos artigos publicados na base de dados SciELO

O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma pesquisa bibliométrica dos artigos publicados na base de dados Scientific Electronic Library Online, a fim de examinar os avanços científicos em relação ao comportamento de beber em excesso, nas diversas populações identificadas. Utilizaram-se os descritores binge e drinking, em inglês, na referida base de dados, tendo sido encontrados 22 trabalhos, sete dos quais repetidos pelo sistema de busca, resultando em 15 artigos distintos publicados entre 1999 e 2010. Foram criadas oito categorias de análise. Verificou-se a predominância de: parcerias entre universidades e centros de pesquisa (66,7%); pesquisas multiprofissionais (66,7%); publicações em revistas brasileiras (73,3%); uso do idioma inglês (53,3%); emprego do método quantitativo (86,7%); população adulta (60,0%); fatores associados ao binge drinking (26,7%); e definições quantitativas do comportamento analisado (100,0%). Os resultados apontam a baixa produção brasileira a respeito do tema, bem como a necessidade de pesquisas qualitativas a fim de compreender melhor a complexidade do binge drinking.

Addiction research centres and the nurturing of creativity. National institute on alcohol and drugs policies, Brazil

The National Institute of Public Policy for Alcohol and Other Drugs (INPAD) is based at the Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil, and was created to collect scientific evidence regarding epidemiology, develop new therapeutic approaches, study health economics and provide education to subsidize the proper measures to change the Brazilian scenario of alcohol and drug consumption. Policies directed towards the control of alcohol and drugs in Brazil are fragmented, poorly enforced and therefore ineffective. The unregulated market of alcohol in Brazil has contributed to the worsening health of the Brazilian population. Since 1994, INPAD has participated actively in academic debates and discussions about alcohol and drug policies and their effects on the political welfare of the country. Many scientific papers and books have been published on this subject, and the internet and other media have provided excellent opportunities for the dissemination of specialized information to the general population.

Consumo de álcool entre estudantes do ensino médio do município de Passos - MG

Este estudo identificou o padrão de consumo de álcool entre estudantes do ensino médio de Passos (MG) e sua associação com fatores socio-demográficos. Participaram 1.967 adolescentes de instituições públicas e privadas de ensino. Utilizou-se o questionário AUDIT. Realizou-se estatística descritiva, teste de qui-quadrado e regressão logística múltipla. A média de idade dos participantes foi de 15,84±1,23 anos. O primeiro contato com o álcool ocorreu aos 13,37±1,92 anos. Dos adolescentes, 30,96% eram abstêmios, 45,76% apresentaram comportamento de beber moderado, 16,47% de beber de risco, 3,51% de alto risco e 3,31% de possível dependência. Houve associação significativa entre o risco de beber e o sexo, relacionamento do adolescente com a mãe, trabalho, nível econômico e de escolaridade do chefe da família. Na análise multivariada observou-se maior risco para os adolescentes do sexo masculino, trabalhadores e com ausência de bom relacionamento com a mãe. Verificou-se que os adolescentes apresentaram contato precoce com bebidas alcoólicas e alta prevalência de comportamento de beber de risco.

Associação entre comportamentos de risco à saúde de pais e adolescentes em escolares de zona rural de um município do Sul do Brasil

Objetivou-se avaliar a associação entre comportamentos de risco à saúde dos pais e adolescentes escolares de zona rural. Participaram 377 escolares entre 10 e 18 anos e 338 pais. Foram analisados: nível de atividade física no lazer e deslocamento, hábitos de alimentação inadequados, excesso de peso, uso de cigarros e consumo de bebidas alcoólicas. A prevalência de relato de uso de cigarro e álcool nos últimos 30 dias entre os jovens foi de 6,7% e 27%, respectivamente. Quarenta e cinco por cento dos adolescentes não atingiram o escore de atividade física. A adesão aos passos para uma alimentação saudável foi baixa. A atividade física dos adolescentes esteve relacionada de forma positiva com a dos pais, e o consumo de álcool da mãe se associou de forma positiva com o consumo do adolescente. Para os outros comportamentos, não houve associação significativa. Na análise estratificada por sexo, o nível de atividade física do pai se associou ao nível de atividade física das meninas. O comportamento de risco à saúde dos pais associa-se ao mesmo comportamento dos adolescentes de zona rural.

Vulnerabilidade na adolescência: a experiência e expressão do adolescente

Estudo transversal, quantitativo, cujo objetivo foi identificar situações de vulnerabilidade vivenciadas pelos adolescentes do ensino médio da rede pública de Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, no segundo semestre de 2009. Utilizou-se questionário fechado. Os resultados revelaram que 10,5% dos meninos e 5,8% das meninas já fizeram uso de drogas ilícitas, aos 15 anos, sendo a cocaína (28,9%) e a maconha (15,7%) as mais relatadas; 45,2% dos meninos e 52,4% das meninas consomem bebidas alcoólicas, sendo a cerveja a mais comum. Entre os que se declararam fumantes (16,0%), a maioria iniciou o consumo aos 15 anos. Houve relato de violência sexual, dos quais somente 33,3% dos meninos e 25,0% das meninas procuraram ajuda. Entre os que não procuraram ajuda, o motivo relatado foi medo e vergonha. Destaca-se a necessidade de serviços específicos para prevenção e tratamento de adolescentes em situações de vulnerabilidade, tendo em vista a ocorrência e consequências destes agravos.

Experimental use of alcohol in early adolescence: the 11-year follow-up of the 1993 Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort study

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of experimental alcohol intake and associated factors in early adolescence. The overall sample consisted of 4,452 adolescents (mean age = 11.3 years; SD = 0.3) from the 1993 birth cohort in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Experimental use of alcohol was reported by 17.5% of the interviewees (95%CI: 16.3-18.6), and 5% reported having tried alcohol at nine years of age or younger. Prevalence of experimental alcohol use was higher among adolescents whose mothers had consumed alcohol during pregnancy, whose parents consumed alcohol, who worked outside the home themselves, and who had ever tried smoking. Family strife, parental alcohol intake, and adolescent smoking were strong predictors of experimental alcohol use in early adolescence. Special attention should be targeted to these groups in order to avoid heavy and premature alcohol use in early adolescence.

[Sanitary control of alcohol advertisement in Brazil: a study of the law bills from 1988 to 2004]

This study analyses law bills towards the sanitary control of alcohol advertisement in the mass media presented to the Brazilian Congress from 1988 to 2004. The sanitary control of this advertising is a controversial issue bringing about an ethical-political debate in which the health-protecting interests conflict with commercial ones even after scientific evidence has established increasing alcohol intake as a health and social issue worldwide. The content analysis of 67 of such law bills was carried out, and these proposals were shown to consist mostly of strategies to both cope with alcohol advertising by dissociating from the product those values that might interfere with the children and teenagers' building of their social identity and limit advertisement contents in the mass media given the higher vulnerability of the subjects in that age range. This study reveals complexes challenges for the control of alcohol advertisement that in turn lead to rethinking the action of the State apparatus in dealing with this major public health issue.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and of its specific components among adolescents from Niterói City, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of metabolic abnormalities (MA) and metabolic syndrome (MS) assessed by different criteria among Brazilian adolescents. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Weighted prevalence of MA and MS were estimated using criteria adapted from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), National Cholesterol Education Program, Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATP III), and the World Health Organization (WHO) in a probabilistic sample of 577 students aged 12-19. RESULTS: The most prevalent MA was low concentration of HDL-C as per IDF (32.5%) and NCEP/ATP III (41.6%) criteria and hypertension as per the WHO's criterion (12.4%). Prevalence of MS using the NCEP/ATP III criterion (6.04%) was five times higher than the WHO's (1.1%) and the IDF's (1.6%) criteria. As expected, MS was significantly higher among overweight than among non-overweight adolescents. CONCLUSION: Low prevalence of MS but high prevalence of some MA were found. These findings suggest that the diagnosis of MA is more relevant in clinical practice especially in overweight adolescents.

O uso de álcool e tabaco por adolescentes do município de Embu, São Paulo, Brasil

O objetivo deste estudo é identificar o uso de álcool e tabaco entre os adolescentes. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, realizado junto a 1533 adolescentes de ambos os sexos, tendo por critérios de inclusão: faixa etária entre 10 e 20 anos, matriculados e freqüentando regularmente o ensino fundamental ou ensino médio das escolas estaduais, no período matutino, nas regiões de Santo Eduardo e Santa Emília, no município de Embu. Os resultados mostraram que 4,8% são fumantes e 58,3% experimentaram bebida alcoólica. A média de idade de iniciação do uso de álcool é de 13,1 anos (s=1,9) e a média de idade de iniciação do uso de tabaco é de 12,6 anos (s=1,5). Conclui-se que a população do estudo apresentou um baixo consumo de tabaco e um elevado consumo de álcool, uma iniciação precoce do uso de álcool e tabaco, a ingestão alcoólica, principalmente, em festas, com os amigos, ou até mesmo em casa, com familiares. Constatou-se também que o vinho é a bebida preferida desses jovens.

[Relationships and interactions in the process of healthily becoming an adolescent]

The purpose of this study is to explore how teenagers view the relationships and interactions in the process of healthily becoming an adolescent. This qualitative exploratory research was conducted with ten teenagers in a state college in a town in southern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, from August to October, 2007. We used semi-structured interviews to collect the data. Later, we decided to use a thematic analysis, in which two themes emerged: (1) the process of building relationships and interactions in adolescence and (2) the risk in social life. As a result, we realized the importance of interpersonal relationships formed in adolescence, which deserve the nurse's attention. Nurses can help in the guiding of this population in basic health units, hospitals or schools, to a healthy adolescence. Thus, teenagers may enjoy the relationships built in this process in order to grow and to enter into adulthood.

[The representation of alcoholic beverages consumption for adolescents in a Family Health Unit]

Alcoholic beverages consumption by adolescents is a global problem with repercussion on different social sectors. However, the reasons that cause this behavior are still little studied. This qualitative research aimed to understand the socially constructed representations of adolescents about the consumption of alcoholic beverages, in a Family Health Unit in the city of Feira de Santana, state of Bahia, Brazil. Subjects were twenty-one adolescents of both genders. Observation, focus groups and semi-structured interviews were used for data collection, followed by interpretation of meanings as data analysis. Results showed that this practice represents "to drink much", which is close to the concept of binge drinking and "to be in the group", evidencing the socializing character of drinking. It also means a rite of passage. Among the factors that influence this representation, adults' attitudes to alcohol, especially the father and media, are highlighted. It is concluded that this substance represents a symbolic capital, with contradictions regarding the issue, precariousness of protective factors and existence of vulnerability factors. Rethinking adolescent-targeted and alcohol-related public policies is needed.

Consumo frequente de bebidas alcoólicas por adolescentes escolares: estudo de fatores associados

OBJETIVO: Analisar fatores associados ao consumo frequente de bebidas alcoólicas por adolescentes escolares em Feira de Santana, BA. MÉTODO: Estudo transversal, com amostra aleatória, estratificada por conglomerado, totalizando 10 escolas de portes diferenciados e 776 estudantes de ambos os sexos que relataram consumo de bebidas alcoólicas, na faixa etária de 14 a 19 anos, assegurando representatividade das escolas e alunos. O instrumento auto-aplicável foi elaborado segundo a Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS) e questionários validados em outros estudos. A coleta garantiu procedimentos para anonimato e sigilo. Foram considerados expostos adolescentes que referiram consumo frequente (em pelo menos todo final de semana). RESULTADOS: O consumo frequente/pesado mostrou associações significantes com sexo masculino, consumo precoce, parceiro sexual pouco conhecido, problemas com substâncias psicoativas (SPAs) na família, coabitação com companheiro, renda própria, tráfico de drogas, consumo com amigos, atividades na escola, motivações (ansiedade, animação/prazer); e consequências (outras SPAs, brigas, inadimplência ao trabalho\escola). CONCLUSÕES: O conhecimento dos fatores pessoais, interpessoais, familiares e ambientais associados ao consumo de bebidas alcoólicas por adolescentes devem ser considerados na implementação de programas escolares e políticas públicas de prevenção, visando comportamentos que minimizem a exposição ao risco associado.

Consumo de álcool entre estudantes de escolas públicas da Região Metropolitana do Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil

Este estudo objetivou identificar o consumo de álcool e comportamentos de risco à saúde em adolescentes, por meio de estudo epidemiológico transversal de base populacional, realizado de abril a setembro de 2006, empregando amostragem estratificada segundo porte da escola e turnos. Utilizando o questionário Global School-Based Student Health Survey, 1.878 estudantes de 29 escolas públicas da Região Metropolitana do Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil, foram investigados quanto à idade, ao sexo, ao consumo de bebidas alcoólicas, à embriaguez na vida e a consequências negativas. O consumo de álcool, nos últimos 30 dias, foi de 29,8%. Os adolescentes reportaram que adquiriram facilmente bebidas alcoólicas em estabelecimentos comerciais e também em contextos sociais. A ocorrência de embriaguez na vida e a ocorrência de consequências negativas foram relatadas por, respectivamente, 30,5% e 14,5% dos estudantes pesquisados. Concluiu-se que o conhecimento dos comportamentos de risco em virtude do consumo de álcool por adolescentes poderá subsidiar políticas públicas de educação para a saúde.

Uso de álcool por adolescentes: estudo de base populacional

OBJETIVO: Estimar a prevalência e os fatores associados ao uso de álcool por adolescentes. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal de base populacional realizado entre 2005 e 2006, em Pelotas (RS), com 1.056 adolescentes entre 11 a 15 anos de idade. Foi aplicado um questionário de auto-preenchimento anônimo, baseado no modelo da Organização Mundial de Saúde para uso de drogas. Para análise dos dados, foi utilizada a regressão de Poisson. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de adolescentes que referiram o consumo de bebidas alcoólicas no último mês foi de 23,0% (IC 95%: 20,4;25,4), a prevalência foi de 21,7% entre o sexo feminino e 24,2% entre o masculino. A prevalência de consumo de álcool aos 11 anos foi de 11,9%. Na análise de regressão múltipla, entre adolescentes do sexo masculino, o uso de bebidas alcoólicas foi maior naqueles que relataram o uso de tabaco no último mês, nos mais velhos e naqueles que já tinham tido relação sexual. Nas adolescentes do sexo feminino a idade foi à única variável associada ao uso de bebidas alcoólicas. CONCLUSÕES: O uso de bebidas alcoólicas foi prevalente em ambos os sexos e com início extremamente precoce. Tabagismo e já ter tido relações sexuais também estiveram associados ao uso de bebidas alcoólicas. Há necessidade de medidas preventivas com maior precocidade, visando controlar o uso de álcool na faixa etária dos 11 aos 15 anos.

Caracterização das vítimas de acidentes e violências atendidas em serviço de emergência: Município de Alta Floresta, MT (Brasil)

INTRODUÇÃO: Em Alta Floresta - MT, embora os acidentes e violências sejam responsáveis por importante parcela da morbidade hospitalar e da mortalidade, principalmente entre a população jovem, não se conhecia o que tais agravos representam, em termos de morbidade ambulatorial. OBJETIVO: Apresentar a caracterização das vítimas de violências e acidentes em serviço de emergência no município de Alta Floresta - MT. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo dos registros de todos os atendimentos de emergência ocorridos em três meses de 2006, por meio de ficha de notificação específica para acidentes e violências. RESULTADOS: Dos 7.394 atendimentos no período, 583 (7,9%) foram prestados às vítimas de acidentes e violências, a maioria do sexo masculino, com idade entre 20 e 39 anos, branca, e com escolaridade inferior a 8 anos. Dentre as ocorrências, predominaram os acidentes: foram 239 (41,0%) acidentes de transportes, destacando-se os de motocicleta; 153 quedas (26,2%) e 167 (28,7%) outros acidentes. Dentre os registros de violências, 16 (2,7%) foram agressões e 8 (1,4%) tentativas de suicídio. A suspeita de uso de álcool, entre maiores de 18 anos, foi registrada em 12,0% das vítimas de acidentes e violências. No entanto, entre as vítimas de agressões este percentual foi muito mais elevado (91,7%). Observou-se também importante relação dos acidentes com a categoria trabalho. CONCLUSÃO: O conhecimento adequado das características das vítimas dos acidentes e violências é imprescindível para o processo de deflagração de medidas efetivas que visem reduzir tais agravos.