ANA M. Valles-Medina, MPH¹, Alejandro Gonzalez-Cota¹, Federico Camacho-Ochoa¹, Elvia Rubalcaba-Macias¹, Joana Molina-Rojo¹, and Sara Cortés-Bargalló, MC². (1) FACULTAD DE MEDICINA, UNIVERSIDAD AUTONOMA DE BAJA CALIFORNIA, Apdo. Postal # 113-A, Mesa de Otay, Tijuana, B.C. 22350, 22350, Mexico, 52-664-6821233 EXT.126, goldo22@hotmail.com, (2) Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Apartado Postal 113-A, Mesa de Otay, Tijuana, B.C., Mexico

Introduction: With the large social and economic repercussions they incur, it is necessary to consider tobacco and alcohol among the substances that provoke an increase in the avoidable morbidity and mortality rates. The link between early initiation of tobacco usage and illegal drug experimentation is quite clear: those individuals who begin smoking prior to 15 years of age report a greater percentage of drug experimentation. Methodology: This was a transversal descriptive study. Our target population was students of the most populous university of the state of Baja California. The sampling method employed was multi-tiered; We studied 268 students between the ages of 19 and 26 years old, to which we applied a survey of 22 questions. Results: the age of initiation were 15 (alcohol) and 17 (tobacco). The preferred alcoholic drink was beer, with an average of 3 to 6 drinks per occasion, 20% reported drinking at least once per week. Conclusions: According to the criteria of the NIAAA, 39% of those studied are considered risky drinkers. This fact should call our attention, since the line between social drinking and alcohol dependence is not easily established. We should therefore consider initiating informative campaigns regarding this problem, in order to avoid its conversion to abuse and the multiple health risks associated therewith. We’re aware this study only reflects the population that achieves an university education. Further studies must be given other youth strata.

Learning Objectives:

• To identify patterns of alcohol consumption and tobacco usage among university students in Tijuana, Mexico

Keywords: Adolescents, International, Alcohol Use

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.