Risk behaviors in adolescents. Medical office 59. Policlínico Turcios lima

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescence is one of the most important periods of human life. The consumption of alcohol and drugs constitutes one of the possible ways for adolescents to “experience” new ways of acting and feeling.

Objectives: To evaluate the risk behavior towards the consumption of alcoholic beverages and cigarettes in adolescents of clinic 59 of the “Luis A Turcios Lima” Polyclinic, from July to December 2022.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 47 adolescents, matching the universe with the sample. The variables studied were: age of onset of smoking and drinking, place where the risky behaviors began, coexistence with alcoholic or smoking family members. Knowledge about the harmful effects of alcoholism and smoking. A survey was applied.

Results: 97.8% of the adolescents with risky behaviors started them after 14 years of age and 59.5% were at parties and 29.7% with friends. 74.4 % had no family history of alcoholics and smokers and 65.9 % had inadequate knowledge about the harmful effects of smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages.

Conclusions: Most adolescents started smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages after the age of 14 years, at parties and with friends, a large number of them do not live with alcoholics or smokers. There is inadequate knowledge about the harmful effects of smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages.