Objective:

to estimate the prevalence of weekly alcohol composition in the young population and its socioeconomic determinants, in the Montes de María sub-region, Colombian Caribbean.

Methodology:

analytic cross-sectional study with 10667 surveys on youngsters aged 10-24 years. Frequency grids and measures of central tendency, dispersion and position were used, classifying the sample by sex and age groups. A logistic model of dichotomous questions was used for the prevalence, studying risk factors.

Results:

the prevalence of alcohol consumption at least once a week is 9.4%. In males, the prevalence is 14.5%, and in women, it is 5.6%. Underage prevalence is 3.9% and adult prevalence is 19.0%. The municipality of San Onofre has the highest prevalence (14.9%). Additionally, the risk of alcohol consumption increased in male who were employees, had dysfunctional family relationship, relatives who were victims of the armed conflict or who received previous psychological attention. In women, but not in men, having suicidal thoughts was associated with higher risk of alcohol consumption. For all the participants, being between 18 and 24 years of age, having failed school years, consuming psychoactive substances being a school bully increased the risk of alcohol consumption.

Discussion:

the prevalence of atleast- once-a-week alcohol consumption in the youngsters of Montes de María is 1.5% below the national harmful alcohol consumption level (11.07%). The sample’s youngsters aged 18-24 years have the same prevalence of high-risk and harmful alcohol consumption as the national level for the same age range (18.76%). The risk factors found reveal family issues, a lack of interest in school and psychological problems.

Conclusions:

there is a high prevalence of alcohol consumption in the youngsters of Montes de María and it is necessary to enforce programs to prevent alcohol consumption at young ages.

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