Evaluation of Alcohol Consumption Control in Youths Aged 15 - 19 Years Old, Health Regional Area 7

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate alcohol consumption control in youth aged 15-19 years old, health regional area 7 (HRA7). Four components were explored, Context, Input, Process, and Results. A mixed qualitative and quantitative research method was done with collection by questionnaires, interviews, and focus groups. The study participants were government officers, merchants, and youths.

The results show that 1)Context, youth drinkers in 12 months were 16.6 % and alcohol consumption control work keep following national alcohol policy and suggestion guideline of the department of disease control, ministry of public health 2) Inputs, both the provincial public health office (PPHO) and district public health office (DPHO) were adequate for the responsible person, therefore regarding the budget, there was appropriate for PPHO, but DHPO was not.  PPHO assigned any work group to responsibility obviously and standing on national alcohol policy, recommendation of alcohol control committee, and routine activities (follow alcohol Act. 2008) 3) Process, these activities were exercised, at the provincial level, such as law enforcement, public campaign, channels, and compliance management, supporting community movement for alcohol control, and screening and treating alcohol-dependent drinkers. At the district level, law enforcement, public campaign, support community movement for alcohol control, and educate merchants related alcohol act. All provinces and districts work through committee meetings and report for monitoring and evaluation. All provinces progress alcohol control action plan, all government high schools took in alcohol-free school projects. 4) Performance in 2018, about 25% of the merchants did not know the time limit. Alcoholic beverages are sold in prohibited places, and sold to youth under 20 years old, which is found at most grocery stores. More than 50 percent of youth aged 15-19 had purchased alcohol in the past three months, and those who bought it were 11 times as likely to become a drinker than those who had never bought it. About 4 percent of staff are unaware of the location restrictions and the age of the shoppers, and about 25% are unaware of the time limit, and only 40 percent of law enforcement cases were found guilty.

Summary and suggestions, the prevalence of alcohol consumption among youth in the area is still high. Any vendors and responsible officers are also aware of unclear legal restrictions. Young people also have easy access to alcoholic beverages, and having limited resources to support both quantity and management thoroughly. Therefore, the drive to control alcohol consumption among youth should be managed systematically in terms of policies, plans, support, supervision, and monitoring. Also cooperating with network partners in the education sector, localities, and communities should be performed continually with clearing the operation.