Uso de álcool por adolescentes: compreendendo a dinâmica e os fatores que desencadeiam o processo

Abstract

The use and abuse of alcohol by teenage people has incremented over time and has constituted a serious problem of public health. The aim of this study is to understand the dynamics of alcohol consumption between Brazilian teenagers, as well as factors that can lead to early use. For this study it was held literature review using scientifics articles about the theme, in Portuguese language, produced between 2001 and 2010 and available in data bases: LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Health Science Literature Database), MEDLINE (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online) and SCIELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online). As descriptors was used the terms: alcohol consumption, alcohol abuse, alcoholism, teenagers and students. After reading the abstract of 123 articles, 28 was catalogued and served of base to the elaboration of this work. The Brazilian literature indicates that young people has made increasingly early consumption of alcohol, in bigger quantities and easy access. The relation with gender, male and female, varies in different regions of the country. The first use usually occurs at home in presence of family and friends. Young people who drink has more chance of having health risk behaviors, like involvement in fights, discussions, absenteeism in school and work, risky sexual behavior and others. Advertising is cited as an important motivator of consumption and, in Brazil, there is the need of regulatory measures of the same. As protection factors we found religiosity and family, this last when the young feels more supported and understood. This bibliographic survey is a first step so the preventive measures can be planned and implemented, considering the risk and protection factors to the early use of alcohol, and then reducing the harm caused by this drug throughout life.