[Changes in hazardous drinking in Spanish adolescent population in the last decade (2004-2013) using a quantitative and qualitative design].

Objective: To determine the changes in hazardous drinking in adolescents in the last decade, as well as their motivations and experiences.

Design: Firstly, a descriptive design using a self-report questionnaire, and secondly an explanatory qualitative design, with video recordings of discussion groups with content analysis (coding, triangulation of categories and verification of results).

Setting And Participants: Pupils from an urban High School, administering a questionnaire every 3 years from 2004 to 2013. Purposive sampling was used to elect groups in qualitative design. Homogeneity criteria: education level; heterogeneity criteria: age, gender, and drug use.

Main Measurements: Questionnaire: age, gender, drug use, and the CAGE test. Interviews: semi-structured on a previous script, evaluating experiences and expectations.

Results: Descriptive design: A total of 1,558 questionnaires, age 14.2±0.3years, 50% female. The prevalence of alcohol drinking decreases (13%), but its hazardous use increases (11%; P<.001, χ). This is associated with being female (P<.01 χ), higher alcohol consumption (>6 standard drink units weekly; P<.001, ANOVA), during the weekend (56%; P<.01, χ) and multiple drug use (P<.01, χ). CAGE questionnaire: 37% ≥1positive response (related to hazardous drinking, P<.05 χ), 18% ≥2answers.

Qualitative: A total of 48 respondents, classified into 4 categories: personal factors (age, gender), social influences (family, friends), consumption standards (accessibility, nightlife), and addiction (risk, multiple drug use).

Conclusion: Despite the decrease in the prevalence of alcohol drinking, the increase in the percentage of the hazardous drinking is a public health problem. It is related to being female, binge-drinking, and multiple drug use. Nightlife and social standards are the main reasons given by adolescents, who have no perception of risk.