Threefold Surge in Male Teenage Drinking In India: Study
They were three times as likely to have sustained injuries as a result of their drinking.
Studies from high-income countries have shown that starting drinking early in life is a consistent predictor of alcohol-related harm across the life course.
"But whether this association also exists in low and middle-income countries, such as India, was not clear," they said.
Consistent with studies from high-income countries, this study found that starting to drink alcohol during the teenage years was associated with a greater likelihood of developing lifetime alcohol dependence, hazardous or harmful drinking, alcohol related injuries, and psychological distress in adulthood.
"Alcohol consumption and its harmful effects are emerging as a major public health problem in India and the trend is alarming," Pillai added.
The findings highlight the importance of generating public awareness about the hazards of starting to drink early in life, and of enforcing regulations designed to limit underage drinking.
The study appeared online in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
