Adolescent Binge Drinking in the West of Ireland: Associated Risk and Protective Factors

Abstract   This study aimed to examine potential risk and protective factors for binge drinking among a cohort of 15-16-year-old adolescents in the West of Ireland. This study was a cross-sectional secondary analysis of 4,473 15-16-year-olds who participated in the 2020 Planet Youth survey. Binge drinking was defined as ever consumption of five or more drinks in a two-hour period or less. Data were analysed using SPSS version 27. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine independent associations between potential risk and protective factors and binge drinking. A p-value of < 0.05 was deemed statistically significant. The prevalence of binge drinking among participants was 34.1%. Female gender (aOR 0.55, 95% CI 0.46-0.67, p < 0.001) and non-White ethnicity (aOR 0.49, 95% CI 0.31-0.77, p = 0.002) were associated with reduced odds of ever binge drinking. Self-rated ‘bad/very bad’ mental health (aOR 1.61, 95% CI 1.26-2.06, p < 0.001), current cigarette use (aOR 4.06, 95% CI 3.01-5.47, p < 0.001) and current cannabis use (aOR 2.79, 95% CI 1.80-4.31, p < 0.001) were associated with increased odds of ever binge drinking. Parental supervision (aOR 0.80, 95% CI 0.73-0.88, p < 0.001) and negative parental reaction to adolescent drunkenness (aOR 0.51, 95% CI 0.42-0.61, p < 0.001) reduced the odds of ever binge drinking among participants. Getting alcohol from parents was associated with increased odds of ever binge drinking (aOR 1.79, 95% CI 1.42-2.25, p < 0.001). Adolescents with friends who drink alcohol had almost 5 times higher odds of ever binge drinking (aOR 4.59, 95% CI 2.65-7.94, p < 0.001). Participating in team sports was also associated with increased odds of ever binge drinking (aOR 1.30, 95% CI 1.07-1.57, p = 0.008 for 1-4 times/week, aOR 1.52, 95% CI 1.07-2.16, p = 0.020 for ≥5 times/week). This study highlights key influences of adolescents’ social environment on their binge drinking, and a need for renewed public health efforts to protect adolescents from alcohol-related harm. Key messages • This study identified a high prevalence of ever binge drinking among adolescents in the West of Ireland - this is highly concerning as adolescents are vulnerable to alcohol-related harm. • This study identified factors in the social environment of adolescents associated with binge drinking. This can inform public health action to protect adolescents from alcohol-related harm.

This study aimed to examine potential risk and protective factors for binge drinking among a cohort of 15-16-year-old adolescents in the West of Ireland. This study was a crosssectional secondary analysis of 4,473 15-16-year-olds who participated in the 2020 Planet Youth survey. Binge drinking was defined as ever consumption of five or more drinks in a two-hour period or less. Data were analysed using SPSS version 27. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine independent associations between potential risk and protective factors and binge drinking. A p-value of < 0.05 was deemed statistically significant. The prevalence of binge drinking among participants was 34.1%. Female gender (aOR 0.55, 95% CI 0.46-0.67, p < 0.001) and non-White ethnicity (aOR 0.49, 95% CI 0.31-0.77, p = 0.002) were associated with reduced odds of ever binge drinking. Selfrated 'bad/very bad' mental health (aOR 1.61, 95% CI 1.26-2.06, p < 0.001), current cigarette use (aOR 4.06, 95% CI 3.01-5.47, p < 0.001) and current cannabis use (aOR 2.79, 95% CI 1.80-4.31, p < 0.001) were associated with increased odds of ever binge drinking. Parental supervision (aOR 0.80, 95% CI 0.73-0.88, p < 0.001) and negative parental reaction to adolescent drunkenness (aOR 0.51, 95% CI 0.42-0.61, p < 0.001) reduced the odds of ever binge drinking among participants. Getting alcohol from parents was associated with increased odds of ever binge drinking (aOR 1.79, 95% CI 1.42-2.25, p < 0.001). Adolescents with friends who drink alcohol had almost 5 times higher odds of ever binge drinking (aOR 4.59, 95% CI 2.65-7.94, p < 0.001). Participating in team sports was also associated with increased odds of ever binge drinking (aOR 1.30, 95% CI 1.07-1.57, p = 0.008 for 1-4 times/week, aOR 1.52, 95% CI 1.07-2.16, p = 0.020 for !5 times/week). This study highlights key influences of adolescents' social environment on their binge drinking, and a need for renewed public health efforts to protect adolescents from alcoholrelated harm.

Key messages:
This study identified a high prevalence of ever binge drinking among adolescents in the West of Ireland -this is highly concerning as adolescents are vulnerable to alcoholrelated harm. This study identified factors in the social environment of adolescents associated with binge drinking. This can inform public health action to protect adolescents from alcoholrelated harm.
Abstract citation ID: ckac129.520 Video game addiction among Tunisian adolescents in Sousse: A cross-sectional study in high schools

Background:
Addiction to video games is a theme regularly mentioned and associated with the risks that concern adolescents. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of video game addiction (VGA) among adolescents and identify its associated factors.

Methods:
We conducted a cross-sectional study within public high schools, in Sousse, Tunisia in 2019. The target population was high school students. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data about sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, and mental health disorders, and we used the 21-item Game Addiction Scale to objectify video game addiction. Statistical analysis was carried out using the program SPSS v.20.

Results:
A total of 1342 participants were recruited for the study,36.8% of whom were boys. The average age was 17.5 AE1.44 years. The analysis of mental health disorders showed that 67% were anxious, 66.8% were alexithymic, 65.4% were depressed and 39% had low self-esteem. The analysis of lifestyle behaviors showed that a lack of physical activity was reported by 57.6% of participants. Problematic use of the Internet (>2 hours per day) was reported among 72.4% of the students. The prevalence of video game addiction was 13%. Boys were more prone to be addicted than girls (66.2% versus 33.8%, p < 0.001). !17 years old students had a higher rate of VGA than those aged<17 years old (57.3% vs 42.7%, p = 0.031). VGA was higher among students who follow the non-scientific study section (69.4%, p = 0.007). Students who had moderate depression had the highest percentages of VGA (35.7%, p = 0.005). Students who had problematic use of the internet were more addicted to video games (80.3%) than those not having problematic use (19.7%), p = 0.009.

Conclusions:
This study allowed us to identify the students who are vulnerable to VGA. Also, a huge responsibility is accorded to school staff and parents to tackle this health problem by sensitizing their children and setting up some protective family rules. Key messages: Several factors were significantly associated with video game addiction, especially problematic internet use. iii210 European Journal of Public Health, Volume 32 Supplement 3, 2022