Early initiation of drinking and its consequences: the case of the Czech Republic

Abstract

Background: The WHO European Region has the highest alcohol consumption of all six WHO regions. The research presented here is conducted in the Czech Republic, which has the highest average per capita alcohol consumption in Europe. The problem of alcoholism among children and adults is still not sufficiently perceived by Czech society as a risk and threat to the population's future health. Objective: The research aimed to confirm a relationship between the onset of alcohol consumption at a young age and the amount/frequency of current alcohol consumption. Method: Data analysis was conducted on a representative sample of children aged 6-17 (n= 2948; man:1492; 50,61 %; woman: 1456; 49,39%). Only 36.87% of children in our sample do not drink alcohol at all. 6.28% of children tasted alcohol for the first time before the age of 6. 19.30% tasted alcohol between the ages of 6 and 10, and 38.16% between the ages of 11 and 14. Results: The research confirms the association between early initiation of alcohol consumption and increased risk of binge drinking at older ages. Children who drink alcohol daily start very early. Children who consume alcohol only infrequently start drinking after age 15. Conclusion: The text intends to draw attention to the fact that despite existing prevention programs and interventions, alcohol consumption among children and adolescents is still a severe and contemporary problem related to the high tolerance of society towards alcohol consumption. The degree of denormalization of underage drinking in the Czech Republic is still low. However, even if we accept the thesis of gradual demoralization of drinking, which is based on the assumption of declining alcohol consumption, it appears that early initiation of drinking is thus becoming an increasingly important indicator of wider risk behavior and needs increased attention.