Assessment Of Adolescent Alcohol Consumption, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Kosovo

¹ Department of Nursing, Heimerer College, 10000, Pristina, Kosovo
² Šibenik University of Applied Sciences, 22000, Šibenik, Croatia
³ University of Novo mesto, Faculty of Health Sciences, Novo mesto, Slovenia

^* Corresponding author: adelinalahu@gmail.com

Abstract

The paper examines the alcohol consumption, knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of adolescents in Kosovo. The study recruited 300 respondents aged 15-19 from three secondary schools in Mitrovica, Vushtrri and Pristina, using a cross-sectional, quantitative approach to the ESPAD questionnaire and sampling between September and November 2023. 49.3% were females and 50.7% were males, of which 65% were from urban areas. Almost 32% of respondents drink alcohol, and reasons for not drinking include not being interested and religious beliefs. Curiosity and peer influence were the main reasons for initiation, and male respondents were more likely to do so. While the survey noted negative experiences such as physical violence, accidents and unprotected sex, with vodka and beer being the most common consumption it highlighted serious concerns about alcohol consumption among young people in Kosovo emphasized, with more than half reporting drinking in the past 30 days. Almost 50% of students started drinking before the age of 15, leading to serious health risks such as alcohol dependence and risky behaviours. These findings emphasize the need for continued monitoring and targeted interventions to address precipitating factors among Kosovar youth.