Identifying Predictors and Prevalence of Alcohol Consumption among University Students: Nine Years of Follow-Up

Abstract

AimTo evaluate the prevalence of alcohol consumption among university students during late adolescence and young adulthood and to identify the associated factors.Material and MethodsCohort study among university students in Spain (n = 1382). Heavy Episodic Drinking (HED) and Risky Consumption (RC) were measured with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) at ages 18, 20, 22, 24 and 27 years. Data on potential factors associated with alcohol use were obtained with an additional questionnaire. Multilevel logistic regression for repeated measures was used to obtain adjusted OR (Odds Ratios).ResultsThe rates of prevalence of RC were lower, but not statistically significant, in women. The age-related changes in these rates were similar in both genders, and the prevalence of RC peaked at 20 years. By contrast, the prevalence of HED was significantly lower in women and peaked at 18 years in women and at 22 years in men. Multivariate models showed that early age of onset of alcohol use (OR = 10.6 and OR = 6.9 for women; OR = 8.3 and OR = 8.2 for men) and positive expectations about alcohol (OR = 7.8 and OR = 4.5 for women; OR = 3.6 and OR = 3.3 for men) were the most important risk factors for RC and HED. Living away from the family home was also a risk factor for both consumption patterns among women (OR = 3.16 and OR = 2.34), while a high maternal education level was a risk factor for RC among both genders (OR = 1.62 for women; OR = 2.49 for men).ConclusionsAlcohol consumption decreases significantly at the end of youth, with higher rates of prevalence and a later peak among men. Prevention strategies should focus on beliefs and expectations about alcohol and on delaying the age of onset. Women are at particular risk for these consumption patterns if they live away from their parents. Belonging to a high-income family is a strong risk factor for RC.

Patterns of alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm among European university students

“…While almost a third of participants reported hazardous drinking, this prevalence is lower than previously found in studies that have used the AUDIT (5,(10)(11)(12)(13). Results are similar to those reported by Stock et al (17), with the majority of their sample reporting low risk while 24% of males and 13% of females scored 2 or 3 (indicating problem drinking) on the CAGE screening tool.…”

“…Based on AUDIT scores, 40% of English students recruited from seven English universities (10) were identified as hazardous drinkers, as were 40% of law students and 44% of medical students, recruited from a single English university (11). Data from a sample of Spanish university students (12) showed that 58% of men and 52% of women engaged in 'risky drinking' (defined as a score of 5 for women and a score of 6 for men on the AUDIT). Finally, in a sample of more than 2000 university students from the Republic of Ireland (13), 65% of men and 67% of women met the cut-off for hazardous drinking (defined as a score of 5 for women and a score of 6 for men on the first three AUDIT items, i.e, the AUDIT-C).…”

“…offs: Low risk (0-7); Hazardous drinking(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15); Harmful drinking(16)(17)(18)(19); Probable dependence. The standard cut-off for a postive screen is 8+.…”

Consumo de alcohol, tabaco y cannabis en adolescentes de una población multicultural (Burela, Lugo)

“…Estos resultados resultan consistentes con el estudio de Meneses et al, (2013) y se muestran coherentes con los roles tradicionales de género (Borrell y Artazcoz, 2008). No obstante recientes estudios han mostrado similares consumos entre hombres y mujeres (ESTUDES, 2016;Moure-Rodríguez et al, 2016). Este efecto puede ser fruto de cómo la propia sociedad insiste en entender la igualdad y el empoderamiento de la mujer como la absorción de los roles patriarcales.…”

Transitions between lifetime alcohol use, regular use and remission: Results from the 2004 South African Stress and Health Survey

“…This is of concern, since a systematic review conducted in 2016 confirms that hazardous alcohol consumption continues to be the most prevalent public health issue encountered by university students. [30] Consequently, this highlights the need for interventions among university students given that excessive alcohol consumption during young adulthood is associated not only with an increased risk of alcohol-related problems in adulthood, but also with lower academic achievement, [30,31] unsafe sex [31,32] and injury. [33] It is therefore evident that there is a need for prevention strategies that focus on beliefs and expectations among university students about alcohol [32] to further enable university institutions to implement evidence-based interventions that target risky drinking practices.…”