Alcohol and Traffic Accidents in Adolescents

Frequency of non-fatal traffic accidents has been increasing in the last years in adolescents and youngsters in Argentina. Purpose: To investigate the relationship between consumption of alcohol in 18 year old youths from three provinces of Argentina, with non-fatal traffic accidents. Material and Methods: Population: 18 year old males residents of the provinces of Neuquen, Salta and northern and southern areas of province of Santa Fe, summoned to a mass medical examination of aptitude for the military service. Sample: probabilistic sample in each examination center, totalling 3431 youths. Measuring instrument: Self administered, anonymous questionnaire, inquiring about: alcohol consumption in last 30 days; its frequency and age of onset of drinking and involvement in traffic accidents. Statistical Analysis: by means of Relative Risk and probability by Chi Square. Results: 69.7% of the youngsters consumed alcohol, 67.3% on weekends and 2.4% every day. Age at onset of consumption was recorded. Out from the total, 23% had had traffic accidents. Relationship of alcohol drinking and traffic accidents was assessed by Relative Risks for: Alcohol No/Yes (RR=1.3), Alcohol Weekend/ Never (RR=1.28), and Alcohol Daily/Never (RR=1.89), all with probability less than 0.001. Age of onset of drinking was also associated with traffic accidents (Chi Square 3df=14.52 p<0.001), and RR was significant in ages 10-13 yrs (RR=1.31 p<0.0028) and 14-16 yrs (RR 1.19 p<0.0031).