Prevalence Patterns and Predictors of Alcohol Use and Abuse among Secondary School Students in Southern KwaZulu-Natal; South Africa: Demographic Factors and the Influence of Parents and Peers

ABSTRACT

Used alcohol and 32Background: The prevalence and predictors of alcohol use and abuse among school students were investigated with the aim of gaining insight to guide prevention interventions.Method: A cross-sectional; self-administered survey pertaining to a one-month period was conducted among students in grades 11 and 12 in purposively selected schools with mixed-race groups. Frequencies and ?2 analyses were conducted and forward stepwise; conditional entry logistic regression models were fitted to determine the significant demographic predictors and influence of peers and parents on students' alcohol use and binge drinking.Results: About 54 of students had used alcohol before; while 14.5 had had their first drink before the age of 13. In the relevant month; 41 engaged in binge drinking. Students who were more likely to have used alcohol in the preceding month were older [odds ratio (OR) = 1.44; P = 0.006]; male (OR = 2.1; P 0.001); white (OR