Changes in hazardous drinking in Spanish adolescent population in the last decade (2004-2013) using a quantitative and qualitative design

Objective: To determine the changes in hazardous drinking in adolescents in the last decade, as well as their motivations and experiences. Design: Firstly, a descriptive design using a self-report questionnaire, and secondly an explanatory qualitative design, with video recordings of discussion groups with content analysis (coding, triangulation of categories and verification of results). Setting and participants: Pupils from an urban High School, administering a questionnaire every 3 years from 2004 to 2013. Purposive sampling was used to elect groups in qualitative design. Homogeneity criteria: education level; heterogeneity criteria: age, gender, and drug use. Main measurements: Questionnaire: age, gender, drug use, and the CAGE test. Interviews: semi-structured on a previous script, evaluating experiences and expectations. Results: Descriptive design: A total of 1,558 questionnaires, age 14.2 +/- 0.3 years, 50% female. The prevalence of alcohol drinking decreases (13%), but its hazardous use increases (11%; P < .001, chi(2)). This is associated with being female (P < .01 chi(2)), higher alcohol consumption (> 6 standard drink units weekly; P < .001, ANOVA), during the weekend (56%; P < .01, chi(2)) and multiple drug use (P < .01, chi(2)). CAGE questionnaire: 37% >= 1 positive response (related to hazardous drinking, P < .05 chi(2)), 18% >= 2 answers. Qualitative: A total of 48 respondents, classified into 4 categories: personal factors (age; gender), social influences (family, friends), consumption standards (accessibility, nightlife), and addiction (risk, multiple drug use). Conclusion: Despite the decrease in the prevalence of alcohol drinking, the increase in the percentage of the hazardous drinking is a public health problem. It is related to being female, binge p-drinking, and multiple drug use. Nightlife and social standards are the main reasons given by adolescents, who have no perception of risk. (C) 2017 Elsevier Espana, S.L.U.