Alcohol abuse and risk behavior among adolescents in larger cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate adolescents who abuse drugs and to describe aspects of risk behavior among alcohol abusers.

METHOD

study was conducted on 598 adolescents, aged 12-17 years, with equal distribution in rural and urban areas. Study was based on self-reported questionnaire Q 2000. Study designed as prospective, epidemiological, analitical. Results have been compared within groups, between cantons and among groups. Evaluation of data was done using EPI-info software, with standard statistic methods.

RESULTS

Out of the total number of 598 adolescents 15.55% had abused alcohol (urban 62.4%, rural 37.6%); 6.69% tobacco (urban 67.5%, rural 32.5%); 3.34% cannabis (urban 70.0%, rural 30.0%). Results show various aspects of risk behavior among adolescents who consume alcohol such as: truancy 44.1%; low success at school 14.0%; suicidal thoughts 36.6%; unprotected sex 17.7%; drunken driving 10.0%; non use of seat belts 24.7%; deliquency (stealing) 22.2%; destructive behavior 18.9%. Adolescents who abuse drugs have planned to continue with similar behavior in the future: to abuse drugs 31.6%; to smoke 52.2%, to drink alcohol 44.4%, to fight 27.8%; to drive without seat belt 36.8%; to have unprotected sex 16.7%. Risk behavior related to cannabis abuse and tobacco smoking is also described.

CONCLUSION

Data suggests that major aspects of adolescents' risk behavior is related to alcohol abuse, what should be considered while designing prevention activities and programmes.