Hazardous, harmful and dependent drinking in hostel-dwelling students at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein: a cross-sectional study

Zyl, Paulina van; Botha, J. J.; Wyk, M van; Breytenbach, Jaco C.; Nel, Christiaan; Niekerk, Michael Van; Breytenbach, Wilma

doi:10.2989/17280583.2015.1084310

Cited by 5 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Sample size was calculated using G*Power software to determine how many male and female students had to be included in the study to find a possible significant difference in hazardous drinking among male and female students from both universities 37 . For the study to be adequately powered, 155 men and 138 women had to be included, if sensitivity was 80% given the expected prevalence of 58.9% hazardous drinking among men at the UoA, 32.8% of hazardous drinking among male UKZN students, 45.3% prevalence of hazardous drinking among female students of the UoA and 18.9% hazardous drinking among female UKZN students 7 , 38 .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk factors for hazardous drinking in university students from South Africa and Belgium: a cross-cultural comparison study

Inaç¹,

Larivière²,

Hoque³

et al. 2021

Afr H. Sci.

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Background: Previous studies have associated certain risk factors with hazardous drinking in students. However, big cultur- al and geographical differences exist regarding alcohol use. Objectives: To determine whether or not there was a difference in hazardous drinking between Belgian and South African university students and to establish the risk factors that contribute to hazardous drinking in university students (calculated using the AUDIT-C) from a developing country (South Africa) and a developed country (Belgium). Methods: An online survey assessing hazardous drinking among university students in South Africa (University of KwaZu- lu-Natal, UKZN) and Belgium (University of Antwerp, UoA) was conducted, using the shortened version of the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT-C). Risk factors in males and females for hazardous drinking were explored using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: In total, 499 students were included in the study (250 UoA and 249 UKZN students). A significant higher amount of male (94.8%) as well as female (92.4%) UoA students drank alcohol in the last year compared to the male (66.2%) and female (67.8%) UKZN students (p<0.001). Additionally, a significant higher amount of UoA students were hazardous drinkers, compared to the UKZN students (p<0.001). Multivaiate analysis showed that male UoA students were almost 6 times more likely to be hazardous drinkers than male UKZN students (OR=5.611, p=0.005). Female UoA students were more than twice as likely to be hazardous drinkers than female UKZN students (OR=2.371, p=0.016). Conclusion: This study found a significant difference in hazardous drinking between Belgian and South African university students. Keywords: Hazardous drinking; university students; South Africa; Belgium.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk factors for hazardous drinking in university students from South Africa and Belgium: a cross-cultural comparison study

Inaç¹,

Larivière²,

Hoque³

et al. 2021

Afr H. Sci.

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“…Alcohol abuse among students nationally and internationally is rising and alcohol has generally been identified as the most commonly used substance among students (SA Statistics 2013;Van Zyl et al 2015). Hazardous drinking is defined by the volumes of alcohol consumed and/or the pattern of alcohol consumption associated with an increased risk for alcohol-attributable diseases in the future (Seggie 2012).…”

Section: Introduction Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This may include physical and/or psychological harm. A recent study by Van Zyl et al (2015) at the University of the Free State focusing on alcohol consumption among all undergraduate students in residences found that 15.6% of students partake in hazardous drinking, 4.1% of students partake in harmful drinking and 5.6% of students are alcohol dependent. This is in line with data reported by international studies (Johnston et al 2015).…”

Section: Introduction Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Drug use among South African students and young adults is also alarmingly high (SA Statistics 2013;Van Zyl et al 2015). According to SA Statistics (2013), at least 7.06% of the South African student population reportedly use some form of narcotic.…”

Section: Introduction Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This statement has, however, not been substantiated scientifically. International studies have found that lifetime use of both cocaine and amphetamines, used as tranquilisers during the last 30 days, occurred at considerably higher rates among medical students (Mesquita, Laranjeira & Dunn 1997;Van Zyl et al 2015). Students have the perception that by using psychostimulants, they will enhance their concentration and ability to study (Bucher, Vu & Hojat 2013;Habibzadeh et al 2011), even when it has not been prescribed to them by a medical practitioner, for example, in the case of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).…”

Section: Introduction Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Second and third year medical students’ self-reported alcohol and substance use, smoking habits and academic performance at a South African medical school

Vorster

Gerber

Merwe

et al. 2019

Health SA Gesondheid

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Background: Health professional students frequently use alcohol and narcotics. The potential impact on academic performance and professional behaviour is concerning.Aim: This study aimed to determine self-reported use of alcohol, illicit substances (e.g. cannabis, lysergic acid diethylamide [LSD], magic mushroom, cocaine, crack, ecstasy, methamphetamine and heroin), prescription medication and smoking habits, correlating academic performance.Setting: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State.Methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study design was used. Information was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire, capturing demographics, self-reported academic performance, drinking and smoking habits, and substance use. Coded responses were analysed using the Remark Office OMR 8 Software System. Descriptive statistics were calculated for categorical variables.Results: Completed questionnaires comprised 171 students. A total of 78.4% of second year and 82.8% of third year students reported using alcohol. Twenty-two per cent of second year and 24.1% of third year students reported cannabis use. In the second year group, three (2.7%) students reported using magic mushroom, two (1.8%) reported cocaine, two (1.8%) reported ecstasy and one (0.9%) reported using methamphetamine. Only third year students reported using LSD or ‘crack’. Cigarette smoking was common – 31.5% and 35.1% in both groups, respectively. Smokeless tobacco devices were used by 8.5% of second year and 7.1% of third year students. Almost 40% of both groups reported that they had smoked a water pipe. Academic performance achieved was mostly 60% – 69% (38.9%) among second year students and 70% – 79% (46.6%) among third year students.Conclusion: Self-reported use of alcohol and drugs and smoking among medical students is alarming. Additional student support, early identification and referral for management and/or rehabilitation should be a priority at tertiary institutions responsible for training future healthcare professionals.

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Prevalence of health risk behaviours related to non-communicable diseases amongst South African university students: a systematic review

Florence,

Derman,

Popperwell

et al. 2023

Journal of Public Health

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Background Engagement in risk behaviours adopted during university continues after graduation, increasing the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This systematic review aimed to investigate the prevalence of NCD risk behaviours amongst South African university students. Methods PubMed and Scopus databases were searched (January 1990–April 2022) for studies investigating alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables and physical inactivity. Study qualities were assessed with the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal and levels of evidence checklists. An overall prevalence percentage was obtained for each risk behaviour. Results A total of 50 studies (n = 26 624 students) were included. A range of 44.8–75.0% of students consumed inadequate servings of fruits and vegetables. Just over 54% consumed alcohol (95% confidence intervals [95%CI]:54.0–55.5%). A significantly higher percentage of males (44.2%) than females (25.8%) drank heavily (P < 0.001). Approximately one-third (34.8%, 95%CI:33.4–36.3%) were sedentary and 39.0% (95%CI:37.5–40.4%) were insufficiently active. Almost one-fifth (17.9%, 95%CI:17.3–18.5%) smoked cigarettes, being significantly more prevalent amongst males (21.8%) than females (13.5%) (P < 0.001). A total of 10% smoked 1–10 cigarettes/day and 1.2% smoked >10 cigarettes/day. Conclusion High percentages of South African students eat inadequate servings of fruits and vegetables, consume alcohol are physically inactive and smoke cigarettes. South African universities should implement screening measures and health campaigns.

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Hazardous, harmful and dependent drinking in hostel-dwelling students at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein: a cross-sectional study

Abstract: Follow-up studies are needed to confirm whether a significant difference in hazardous drinking of first year male students compared to seniors reflects the influence of university policy or merely precedes drinking acculturation.

Cited by 5 publications

References 20 publications

Risk factors for hazardous drinking in university students from South Africa and Belgium: a cross-cultural comparison study

Risk factors for hazardous drinking in university students from South Africa and Belgium: a cross-cultural comparison study

Second and third year medical students’ self-reported alcohol and substance use, smoking habits and academic performance at a South African medical school

Prevalence of health risk behaviours related to non-communicable diseases amongst South African university students: a systematic review

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