Physical and social availability of alcohol for young enlisted naval personnel in and around home port
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional survey and qualitative interview study (graded by design analogy, non-clinical)
OpenAlex W2123219053 · doi:10.1186/1747-597x-2-17
What was done
Researchers conducted a mixed-methods study combining thematic analysis of 50 semi-structured interviews with descriptive survey results from a mail questionnaire of 713 young enlisted U.S. Navy men and women. The study assessed physical and social alcohol availability, ease of obtaining alcohol on and off naval bases, and sources of alcohol from peers in home port environments.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical estimates, percentages, or effect sizes. Qualitatively and descriptively, respondents reported widespread alcohol availability facilitated by low prices in Navy Exchange base stores, frequent barracks parties, commercial drink promotions in off-base bars, and widespread underage access through peers in and out of the military.
Why it matters
It highlights environmental and retail drivers of heavy drinking in young enlisted personnel, suggesting that base pricing policies and community-level alcohol regulations are key targets for military prevention programs.
Limits
The abstract provides no quantitative metrics, confidence intervals, or survey response rates. The cross-sectional self-report design is vulnerable to reporting bias, and findings from U.S. Navy home ports may not generalize to other military branches or operational settings.
Cited by
- contradicts In the United States military, service members under the age of 21 are legally permitted to consume alcohol.