OBJECTIVE. Reported cases of sexually transmitted diseases in P.R. China have increased markedly over the last 15 years, suggesting changes in sexual behavior and increased risk of HIV transmission. The purpose of this study was to investigate alcohol use and cigarette smoking, which are risk factors associated with the primary modes of HIV-transmission in China. METHODS. A questionnaire survey was administered to 805 undergraduates from a randomly-selected sample of 1029 students at Suzhou University in China, in late 1996. RESULTS. Mean age of respondents was 20 years, and 60% were men. Gender differences for prevalence of alcohol and tobacco use were particularly marked for smoking, as 46% of men were Current Smokers, compared to only 1% of women. Among men, 65% were Current Drinkers, compared to 40% of women. Accordingly, men's alcohol-use expectancies were greater than women's, while women's anti-tobacco attitudes were stronger than those reported by men. Tobacco and alcohol use tended to occur together, so that proportions of Never Smokers were highest among Never Drinkers and lowest among Current Drinkers, and proportions of Current Smokers were lowest among Former Drinkers and highest among Current Drinkers. CONCLUSIONS. Although some students did not respond to attitude and expectancy items related to sexuality, overall, results suggest that future questionnaire surveys of HIV-related risk factors that include questions about sexual behavior and HIV-related information, along with the alcohol and tobacco use studied here, should successfully render a more complete and current assessment of HIV-related, behavioral risk factors among college students in China.
Learning Objectives: 1. Appreciate the need to understand HIV-related behavioral risk factors in China 2. Understand classification categories for alcohol use and cigarette smoking status 3. Be aware of marked gender-related differences in alcohol and tobacco use, along with associated differences in alcohol expectancies and anti-tobacco attitudes.
Keywords: Alcohol Use, College Students
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.