Ethiopian origin high-risk youth: a cross-cultural examination of alcohol use, binge drinking, and problem behavior.
Alcohol use among underage youth has a major impact on public health, accidents, fatalities, and other problem behaviors. In Israel, alcohol use, binge drinking, and related problem behaviors are a growing concern. The purpose of this study was to examine underserved and underreported Ethiopian origin youth by comparing their substance use patterns and behavior with other high-risk youth. Data were collected from a purposive sample of boys of Ethiopian, former Soviet Union, and Israeli origin who were receiving treatment for drug use. Youth were asked to complete a simply worded self-report questionnaire developed for monitoring substance use and related problem behaviors. Ethiopian youth reported higher rates of family unemployment and public welfare dependence, last 30-day consumption of beer and hard liquor, serious fighting, and achievement decline when in school compared with the other youths. Findings highlight the need for ethno-cultural specific prevention and intervention efforts and further research of this high-risk, underserved group of immigrant origin youth.
a Ben Gurion University , Beer Sheva , Israel.
Richard
R
Isralowitz
Alexander
A
Reznik
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages; D063425:Binge Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012946:Social Welfare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014586:USSR / Q000208:ethnology; D014478:Unemployment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
Ethiopian youth; alcohol use; binge drinking; substance use