Factors Affecting Alcohol Drinking of Sixth-grade Children in South Korea

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing 6th graders' alcohol drinking. METHODS: Data were collected by questionnaires from 524 6th-graders in G City. The data were analyzed using SAS 9.1.3 programme. RESULTS: Of the children, 63.7% had no education about drinking, implying that drinking prevention education is not done properly in elementary schools. In addition, 70.6% of the children experienced drinking. Among those who had drinking experience, 24.9% experienced the first drinking before entrance into elementary school and this was the highest percentage. Logistic regression analysis showed that the predictors are religion, family type, mother's drinking frequency, and alcohol attitude. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that complementing home environment and parenting education would be effective for reducing children's drinking. Also, it is recommended that drinking prevention programs for children should be developed in consideration of various factors affecting children's drinking including the factors identified in the present study, and the effectiveness of those programs should be assessed.