RESUMO
Introduction“Epidemiological study on prevalence of alcohol consumption, its patterns and alcohol related harms in Mongolia” was carried out in 2006 funded by the WHO as the first consolidated study involving a large scope of sampling. It confirmed that alcohol consumption and related harms became one of the most challenging social and public health problems in Mongolia. Moreover, recent studies provided some data and provided conclusions on high alcohol consumption rate in the population of Mongolia, particularly among adolescents. Alcohol drinking is the primary cause of cancers of the digestive organs, liver, esophagus and stomach in addition to the criminal rate associated with alcohol. Moreover, overconsumption of alcohol affects the human embryos. 58.4 percent of the parents of disabled children are alcohol addicts. (Psychiatric Health Department, UHS).GoalThe purpose of the survey is to study the alcohol consumption by the youth and students.Materials and MethodsA qualitative survey was carried out (focus group interviews, observations) combined with a survey of the target groups (students and youth) selected by random sampling. The target groups consist of students currently studying in universities, higher educational institutions and VTPCs and young unemployed persons aged 16-24. In total, 56 focus group interviews were carried out and 530 people were involved in the survey.ResultsI total, 530 students and young people were involved in the qualitative survey. 72.0 percent of them are the youth aged 16-24 studying in universities, higher educational institutions and VTPCs. This section explored the youth alcohol consumption by asking during the interviews questions such as for what purpose do you drink vodka, how much do you drink one time, what was the reason for your first drinking, what was your impression, where do you drink etc. The focus group interviewees were asked about the type of alcoholic beverages that their generation or peers use. Most of the survey participants started with beer, then try vodka, and then consume both vodka and other alcoholic beverages. A half of the survey participants answered that their peers started drinking alcohol when they were 16-18 and one of every three friends when they were 14- 16. 446 interviewees (84.1%) out of 530 participants have already tried vodka and other alcoholic beverages. 226 respondents (50.7%) who have already tried vodka and other alcoholic beverages consumed alcohol for the first time under peer pressures and influence during some parties or special occasions. One of every four interviewed persons (24.0%, 127) who have tried alcohol before reported that they liked vodka when they tried it first. However, 66.0 percent (350) reported not liking vodka at the first trial and 10.0 percent said they don’t know. Therefore knowledge on alcohol consumption needs to be provided since the school years. Most of the survey participants answered that they use very little alcoholic beverages per week when they were asked about the amount of alcoholic beverages that they drink per week. The majority of the participants who currently use vodka and other alcoholic beverages (56.0%, 177) disclosed that they drink in bars, restaurants and night clubs. (28.0%, 88) of the respondents visit their friends’ home to drink alcohol and (16.0%, 50) just drink on the street. By the social status of the interviewees who currently use vodka and other alcoholic beverages, the majority of the students drink in bars.Conclusions:Participants aged 16-24 who have been involved in the focus group interviews had the following knowledge and understanding about the vodka and other alcoholic beverages:1. Majority of the interviewees demonstrate a belief that alcoholic beverages mean the beverages with lower alcohol content such as beer and wine.2. According to their knowledge, “appropriate consumption” of vodka or other alcoholic beverages means the proper use of alcohols by adults.3. The respondents know that pregnant women, breast feeding mothers, disabled people, juvenile adolescents and drivers are prohibited to drink vodka or other alcoholic beverages.4. Many of the interviewees know that drinking vodka and other alcoholic beverages is legally prohibited to those who are driving.