Trends in alcohol drinking among university students at the Polish University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn

Abstract

Aim: This article presents cross-sectional data collected from the population of first-year students at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn in 2000-2016. The aim of the study was to investigate changes in the following trends among university students after Poland's accession to the European Union (2004): (1) alcohol consumption, (2) alcoholic beverage preferences, and (3) attitudes towards alcohol. Method: The study relied on data from anonymous surveys conducted every two years between 2000 and 2016 among a representative sample of first-year university students. A total of 9778 individuals (4264 males and 5514 females) completed anonymous questionnaires during the period under analysis. Statistical analyses were performed by comparing the frequency of answers given by male and female students in the first and last year of the study. Results: There was a steady linear decrease in the percentages of abstainers of both genders and a regular linear increase in the number of female students abusing alcohol to blackout level in the analysed period of 2000 to 2016. The respondents' preferences for alcohol brands became more

Relation between current alcohol consumption and attitude towards alcohol use among students

“…The results of this study concerning amount and frequency of alcohol drinking are in line with other Polish universities surveys [4,[12][13][14][15] and do not differ significantly from the results of adult population studies [51]. It should be alkoholu, R 2 = 0,24; ΔR 2 = 0,24; F(3, 903) = 94,06; p < 0,0001.…”

“…Częstotliwość i ilość konsumowanego alkoholu wzrasta znacząco w okresie wczesnej dorosłości [2,3]. Spożycie alkoholu wśród polskich studentów jest nawet wyższe niż w populacji generalnej [4] i znacząco wzrasta w trakcie studiowania [5][6][7].…”

“…Recent studies indicate, however, that gender differences can be blurred. Podstawski et al [4] showed that the percentage of female students abusing alcohol gradually increased between 2000 and 2016.…”

“…Dowodzą tego badania Podstawskiego i wsp. [4], zgodnie z którymi odsetek studentek nadużywających alkoholu sukcesywnie wzrastał w latach 2000-2016.…”

“…The frequency and amount of alcohol consumed increases significantly during early adulthood [2,3]. Polish students drink even more alcohol than the general population [4]. Alcohol consumption also increases significantly while studying [5][6][7].…”