Alcohol use is a major contributor to morbidity in undergraduates, yet alcohol-related deaths receive the majority of media attention, while little attention is given to the more insipid consequences of alcohol use with less severe outcomes. Steady public concern and media interest in alcohol use on college campuses prompted recognition of this issue by public health officials and placement on the national agenda. As part of a larger needs assessment project, alcohol drinking patterns and concurrent health risk behaviors among a random sample of undergraduates were examined. Data were collected during 1999 from 361 undergraduates attending a large southern Research I University (N=22,652) using the National College Health Risk Behavior Survey (NCHRBS). Preliminary results indicate nearly one in five (18.6%) students had at least one drink of alcohol on 1 or 2 days during the last month, and nearly 10% (8.98%) of students reported current frequent alcohol use. Male students were more likely than female students to report this behavior (78.6%; 21.4%, respectively). A majority of respondents (60.9%) reported binge drinking behaviors, nearly twice the level reported in the NCHRBS. Females were more likely than males to report binge drinking behavior (54%; 46% respectively). Results from logistic regression analyses that examine relationships among demographic and risk behavior correlates and alcohol risk factors will be presented. Information on the prevalence of alcohol risk factors and concurrent risk factors can be used by colleges and universities to modify existing programs or develop policy and new interventions that complement national initiatives for alcohol prevention.
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.