Alcoholism – Epidemic of the Current Time after COVID-19 Pandemic (Letter to the Editor)

Introduction: Harmful consumption of alcohol has a serious impact on public health and is considered as one of the main risk factors for health damage and disease on a global level. Increased consumption of alcohol is dangerous at any age; however, a greater risk has been shown at younger age. For this reason, our research has been focused on the consumption of alcoholic beverages among adolescents. Objective: We investigated the attitudes of students in relation to alcohol consumption. Material and methodology: To obtain necessary information, we used existing available professional literature and a non-standardized questionnaire. For the defined research goal, we included in the research group older elementary school students and high school students. 272 respondents took overall part in the research. To test the hypotheses, we used Pearson's chi-square test of independence, Student's t-test and one-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA test - non-parametric version). Results: The results showed significant differences in alcohol consumption between smokers and non-smokers of elementary school students and high school students. In the observed group, today's generation of young people and teenagers have almost equal experiences with alcohol, whereas boys have a slightly higher drinking frequency. We also confirmed the connection between the frequency of consumption of alcoholic beverages and smoking. Regarding prevention, girls perceive a higher prevention than boys, but the subjective rate of alcoholism prevention importance is not age related. Conclusion: Of all the negative phenomena of modern human society, alcoholism is the most dangerous, due to its massive distribution. Therefore, prevention at primary level is to be taken seriously, which emphasizes a controlled consumption of alcohol. Considering the unfavorable statistical indicators of the increased alcohol consumption, especially in case of women, it is necessary to create long-term selective preventive programs.