| dc.description.abstract | Exposure to violence and alcohol has been associated with numerous impacts, such
as mental health problems, alcohol intoxication and dependence, suicidal behavior,
bodily harm, and involvement in crime. Thus, binge drinking and violence in
adolescence are considered public health problems. The aim of this study is to
evaluate the association between having suffered violence and binge drinking among
adolescents. A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted with 2,461 students
aged 14 to 19 enrolled in high school in 26 state public schools in Olinda/PE. Data
collection occurred between March and June 2018 through the self-administered and
validated Youth Risk Behavior Survey and questions from National Adolescent Schoolbased Health Survey (PeNSE). The dependent variable was binge drinking in the last
month, defined as the consumption of 5 or more drinks on a single occasion. The
variables of interest were the variables related to violence victimization (school
bullying, cyberbullying and physical violence) and the covariates were cigarette and
drug use, weapon carrying, suicide attempt, sex, age, religion, parental education and
family income. Descriptive analysis and Poisson regression (p < 0.05, 95%CI) were
performed. The prevalence of binge drinking in the last 30 days was 31.7% (n = 769).
The frequency of school bullying was 19.4% (n = 468), cyberbullying was 10.9% (n =
264), physical violence was 14.3% (n = 351) and carrying a weapon was 5.1% (n =
123). School bullying (IRR = 1.194; 95% IC = 0.971-1.468), cyberbullying (IRR = 0.781;
95% IC = 0.603-1.013) and physical violence (IRR = 1.007; 95% IC = 0.821-1.236)
were not associated with binge drinking. Weapon carrying (IRR = 1,302; IC 95% =
1,016-1,667) was associated with binge drinking. Adolescents who reported having
suffered violence were not associated with binge drinking, although carrying a weapon
was a possible risk factor for binge drinking. These findings have public health
implications, such as establishing programs to delay early alcohol consumption and
youth access to guns, prevent a variety of risky behaviors, inform parents and
educators about behavioral risks, encourage school adaptation, and promote
discussion on topics such as mental health, peer victimization, and substance and
weapon use. | |
