Alcohol consumption among adolescents in Kraljevo, Serbia

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and predictors of alcohol consumption among adolescents in one town in Central Serbia. A questionnaire was used to obtain data from 191 Serbian students aged 18 years regarding personal experience with alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking, along with sociodemographics data. Alcohol consumption was reported by 97.4% subjects, with 34.9% having the first experience with alcohol at the age of 14 years or less. Binge drinking (the intake of five or more drinks at one sitting) was reported by 37.8% subjects. Significantly higher consumption of beer (p < 0.0001) and spirits (p=0.03) was observed in boys. The most common reason for both initiation and continuation of drinking, regardless of gender, were celebrations (pa parts per thousand yen0.12). Smokers were more likely than nonsmokers to consume all alcoholic beverages more frequently (pa parts per thousand currency sign0.04) and in larger quantities (pa parts per thousand currency sign0.004). More frequent or more extensive alcohol consumption, or both, was associated in boys with frequent going out and socializing (pa parts per thousand currency sign0.01), close peer relationship (p=0.04), alcohol abuse within the immediate environment (pa parts per thousand currency sign0.04), better financial status of family (p=0.04), and parental criticism (pa parts per thousand currency sign0.02); in girls, it was associated with parental disapproval (pa parts per thousand currency sign0.02), alcohol abuse within the immediate environment (pa parts per thousand currency sign0.04), and general discontentedness (p=0.049). Regardless of gender, positive alcohol outcome expectancies increased alcohol consumption (pa parts per thousand currency sign0.048), and negative expectancies decreased intake (pa parts per thousand currency sign0.047).