Lifestyle and Behaviour of Moscow Adolescents from Families with Alcohol Problems
Introduction: Despite of the spreading of adverse consequences associated with alcohol use in the Russian society, there is only a limited number of complex social and hygienic studies of adolescents from families experiencing alcohol using problems. Patients and methods: Behaviour and lifestyle of 119 adolescents aged 15-17 years from families with problem drinking from Moscow were studied and compared with comparison group. The methods of research were in-depth interviews and questionnaires. Results: It was shown that adolescents from families with alcohol problems have a number of disadvantages, such as the psychological climate in the family, living conditions, the use of physical punishment in the family. It was shown the higher level of dissatisfaction with housing and living conditions (42.9 and 24.4%; p < 0.5), unsatisfactory family climate (26.9 vs 12.6%; p < 0.5), physical forms of punishment (26.9 vs 11.8% p < 0.5). The frequency of alcohol consumption is significantly higher among adolescents from families with alcohol drinking problems (11.8 vs 0.8%; p < 0.05). Teens tend to earlier (before 20 years) marriage than their peers in the comparison group (22.7 vs 9.2%; p < 0.05). the ideal period for entry into sexual relations before the age of 15 years is accepted by 18.5% of adolescents from main group (5.9% in comparison group; p < 0.05).The particular importance is the fact of underdeveloped healthy behavior (low involvement in the educational and health-preserving activities, high frequency of consumption of alcoholic beverages, the earliest being included in the smoking, the beginning of the sexual life before 18 years etc.). Conclusion: Results show the necessity of the early identifying of adolescents from families with alcohol problems and the providing them medical and social support. Special emphasis should be on measures to form a responsible health-preserving behavior between adolescents. Medical and psychosocial care should be given at the level of health and social care departments in children's polyclinics.