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International Journal of Public Health

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01-04-2013 | Original Article

Socioeconomic inequalities in alcohol use of adolescents: the differences between China and Finland

Authors: Yang Liu, Mei Wang, Jorma Tynjälä, Jari Villberg, Yan Lv, Lasse Kannas

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 2/2013

Abstract

Objectives

Findings from previous studies on socioeconomic inequalities in alcohol use among adolescents are not consistent. This study examined and compared the relationship between socioeconomic status and alcohol use of adolescents in China and Finland.

Methods

The sample included 2,005 Chinese and 1,685 Finnish 15-year-old school children. The associations between Family Affluence Scale (FAS) and alcohol use were examined separately in two countries through binary logistic regression.

Results

Chinese adolescents from the high FAS group were more likely to report experiencing monthly alcohol use (OR = 2.13) and early onset of alcohol use (OR = 1.55) (girls), and early onset of drunkenness (OR = 1.81) (boys). However, no statistically significant difference was found in three FAS groups for all four measures of alcohol use among Finnish adolescents.

Conclusions

This study indicated clear differences of socioeconomic inequalities in alcohol use between Chinese and Finnish adolescents. It suggested that interventions on adolescent alcohol use in China should be targeted on those who are from the high affluent family whereas in Finland efforts should be made to curb adolescents drinking across the socioeconomic spectrum.

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Title: Socioeconomic inequalities in alcohol use of adolescents: the differences between China and Finland
Authors: Yang Liu
Mei Wang
Jorma Tynjälä
Jari Villberg
Yan Lv
Lasse Kannas
Publication date: 01-04-2013
Publisher: SP Birkhäuser Verlag Basel
Published in: International Journal of Public Health / Issue 2/2013
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-012-0432-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Socioeconomic inequalities in alcohol use of adolescents: the differences between China and Finland

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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