Prevalence and correlates of alcohol use among adolescents attending school in Kerala, India

Objectives. Limited information is available on adolescent tobacco and alcohol use in rural Kerala, the southernmost state in India. The study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of tobacco and alcohol use among adolescent school students and further to understand the extent of knowledge pertaining to tobacco before and after conducting awareness programmes in schools. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 government schools of rural Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala state based on a multistaged sampling design. Using a pretested semistructured questionnaire, prevalence and patterns of tobacco use by students and their households, as well as students' knowledge on tobacco hazards before and after delivering antitobacco messages, were collected. Results. The overall prevalence of self-reported ever users of tobacco in the current academic year was 7.4% (95% CI 5.86–8.94), while that of ever alcohol users was 5.6% (95% CI 4.25–6.95). Knowledge assessment scores revealed a significant increase in the mean knowledge scores after posttraining evaluation (mean score = 10.34) when compared to pretraining evaluation (mean score = 9.26) (p < 0.0001). Conclusion. Apart from antitobacco awareness programmes, strict monitoring of trade of tobacco and alcohol products near educational institutions has to be conducted consistently to curb the problem.

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“…A recent study conducted in Ernakulam in Kerala among school students reported 15% prevalence in the 12–19-year-age group [24]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tobacco and Alcohol Use and the Impact of School Based Antitobacco Education for Knowledge Enhancement among Adolescent Students of Rural Kerala, India

Jayakrishnan

Geetha²,

Nair

et al. 2016

Journal of Addiction

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“…6 A study done in Kerala has also found a higher estimate of 23.2% alcohol use in school going adolescent boys in Kerala. 15 Reddy and Biswas in a study in Bangalore had also found that the most common substance of use among adolescents was alcohol 28% and smoking was found only in 3%. 16 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Peer reported prevalence of substance and internet use among school going adolescents

Amala¹,

Diya²,

Abhishek³

et al. 2019

KJP

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BACKGROUND: Adolescent substance use is an important public health problem because of its potential consequences on the growing brain. Problematic internet use is also a related phenomenon. The validity of self-report of substance and internet use is questionable in this population because of social desirability bias. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the extent of gender-specific substance use and internet use among students of eighth to twelfth classes in an urban area in Ernakulam, Kerala based on the report of peers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted over one month in Kalamassery, Ernakulam District, Kerala. Information on the extent of substance and internet use among the students was obtained by a peer-reported, anonymous, self-administered questionnaire from all the students of classes eighth to twelfth of three randomly selected schools. RESULTS: Data were collected from 278 school students (133 boys and 145 girls). Excessive Internet use was reported among 20% boys and 14% girls. Substances with high use among boys were nicotine (11.54%), cannabis (6.67%), solvent (5.88%) and alcohol (5.88%). Solvent use was reported among 2.77% of girls. CONCLUSION: Although the peer report survey has certain limitations, it can give early indications of student behaviours. The estimates obtained are nearer to self-reported substance use. The reported solvent use in the study is worth exploring.

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“…17,26 But studies by Singh et al (28%) and Jaisoorya et al (15%), report much higher rates of prevalence. 9,29 Stress has been linked with elevated blood pressure across many studies. While Cohen's perceived stress scale is a simple self-administered tool with a high validity and good sensitivity, there are many other tools available which have been used in the other studies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors among high school children in Bangalore, India

Srirama

Subramanian

2020

Int J Community Med Public Health

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Background: Hypertension is a prominent health disorder that leads to 12.8% of deaths worldwide. Although predominantly considered a disorder of the adults, the roots of hypertension start from childhood. In the past children usually suffered from secondary hypertension. However, now with increased incidence of obesity, reduced physical activity, unhealthy dietary habits, use of tobacco and alcohol among adolescents there is now an increased prevalence of primary hypertension in this age group. The present study was conducted with the objective of assessing the prevalence of hypertension and its modifiable risk factors in high school children.Methods: The study was conducted among high school students aged 13 to 16 years in urban Bangalore. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the lifestyle. Age, sex, height, weight and resting blood pressure were recorded. Odds ratio, Chi square test and logistic regression were used in the analysis.Results: There were 550 students who participated in the study, 300 (54.54%) were males and 250 (45.45%) were females. The prevalence of prehypertension was 21.6% and hypertension was 8.9%. Logistic regression revealed that overweight, obesity, high salt intake, tobacco use, and stress were significantly associated with elevated blood pressure.Conclusions: There is a rise in the prevalence of hypertension among high school students. Changes in lifestyle seem to influence the development of hypertension in this age group. Behaviour change communication should be used to reduce the modifiable risk factors and promote healthy lifestyle among adolescents.

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Prevalence and correlates of alcohol use among adolescents attending school in Kerala, India

Cited by 33 publications

References 24 publications

Tobacco and Alcohol Use and the Impact of School Based Antitobacco Education for Knowledge Enhancement among Adolescent Students of Rural Kerala, India

Tobacco and Alcohol Use and the Impact of School Based Antitobacco Education for Knowledge Enhancement among Adolescent Students of Rural Kerala, India

Peer reported prevalence of substance and internet use among school going adolescents

Prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors among high school children in Bangalore, India

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