Pesquisa de compra de bebidas alcoólicas por adolescentes em duas cidades do Estado de São Paulo

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Alcohol use is a public health problem. Commercial availability is an important factor that encourages the use of alcohol by young people. The aim of the study was to assess how often young people under 18 could buy alcohol in shops METHODS: Adolescents from 13 to 17 attempted to purchase alcoholic beverages at a random sample of shops in the cities of Paulinia (n=108) and Diadema (n=426), Southeastern Brazil. The study was conducted from November to December 2003 in Paulínia, and July 2004 to August 2005 in Diadema. They were told not to lie about their ages when asked and to say that the beverage was for themselves. Statistical tests performed were two-tailed and the signifi cance level considered was p<0.05. RESULTS:Adolescents, under the minimum legal age, were successful in purchasing alcoholic beverages in the fi rst attempt in 85.2% of the surveyed outlets in Paulinia, and 82.4% in Diadema. The adolescents bought alcoholic beverages just as easy in all shops researched. CONCLUSIONS:The data showed almost unanimous easiness of teenagers to obtain alcoholic beverages, suggesting the relevance of this problem in these cities (and probably in Brazil). The urge to adopt specifi c alcohol policies to this age group is highlighted, in order to reduce alcohol consumption.

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