Socio-demographic correlates of six indicators of alcohol consumption: survey findings of students across seven universities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Abstract

BackgroundThis study assessed the prevalence of six alcohol consumption indicators in a sample of university students. We also examined whether students’ sociodemographic and educational characteristics were associated with any of the six alcohol consumption indicators; and whether associations between students’ sociodemographic and educational characteristics and the six alcohol consumption indicators differed by gender.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 3706 students enrolled at 7 universities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. A self-administered questionnaire assessed six alcohol consumption measures: length of time of last (most recent) drinking occasion; amount consumed during last drinking occasion; frequency of alcohol consumption; heavy episodic drinking (≥ 5 drinks in a row); problem drinking; and possible alcohol dependence as measured by CAGE. The questionnaire also collected information on seven relevant student sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, academic year of study, current living circumstances - accommodation with parents, whether student was in intimate relationship, socioeconomic status of parents - parental education, income sufficiency) and two academic achievement variables (importance of achieving good grades at university, and one’s academic performance in comparison with one’s peers).ResultsThe majority of students (65% of females, 76% of males) reported heavy episodic drinking at least once within the last 2 weeks, and problem drinking was prevalent in 20% of females and 29% of males. Factors consistently positively associated with all six indicators of alcohol consumption were male gender and perceived insufficient income. Other factors such as living away from home, being in 1st or 2nd year of studies, having no intimate partner, and lower academic achievement were associated with some, but not all indicators of alcohol consumption.ConclusionsThe high level of alcohol consumption calls for regular/periodic monitoring of student use of alcohol, and for urgent preventive actions and intervention programmes at the universities in the UK.

Gender Differences in Self-Rated Health among University Students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: Do Confounding Variables Matter?

“…The study was a general student health and well-being survey similar to studies of student health implemented in several countries (El Ansari & Stock, In Press;El Ansari et al, 2011;El Ansari, Sebena, & Stock, 2013). It included socio-demographic information (e.g., gender, age), self-reported health data, and questions on health awareness, health service use, social support, burdens and university study related questions.…”

“…These confounders could be categorized into three groups: 1) physical health, health complaints and health service use variables; 2) broader well-being and general burdens features; and, 3) lifestyle characteristics and health behaviours variables. Due to the fact that significant differences between male and female university students have consistently been described, such potential confounders include alcohol and other drug use (El Ansari, Sebena, & Stock, 2013;El Ansari, Stock, & Mills, 2013;El Ansari, Vallentin-Holbech, & Stock, 2014), physical in/activity (El Ansari, Stock & UK Student Health Group 2011;Piko, 2000), burdens and stress (El Ansari, Oskrochi, & Haghgoo, 2014), as well as psychosomatic symptoms and health complaints, health awareness, health service use, and social support (El Ansari et al, 2011).…”

Prevalence of some modified cardiovascular risk factors among young students

“…У 31,7% тестируемых имелись признаки хронической алко-гольной интоксикации, что предполагает высокую веро-ятность длительного и регулярного употребления алкого-ля в опасных для здоровья дозах. В зарубежных исследова-ниях распространенность регулярного употребления АН колеблется от 13 до 80%, причем прослеживается связь с уровнем экономического развития страны и региона, а также социальным статусом и уровнем образования семьи и самого студента [32][33][34][35][36].…”

Symptoms and Health Complaints and Their Association with Perceived Stress at University: Survey of Students at Eleven Faculties in Egypt

“…In line with other general student health and well-being studies (15,(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23), no monetary or course credit incentives were provided for participation. Each questionnaire included a participant information sheet outlining the research aims/objectives.…”