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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Sunny Kim, PhD and Megan Kelley, BA. School of Public/ Center for Research on US Latinos HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse, Florida International University, HLS-575, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, 305-348-7158, megan.kelley@fiu.edu

Objective: The goal of this study is to estimate the association between the patterns of alcohol drinking and marijuana use among college students in a Hispanic serving institution.

Methods: Patterns of alcohol drinking and marijuana use were surveyed in 2004 using the National College Health Assessment. The university population is 54% Hispanic. It is located in a large urban area and serves mostly commuter students.

Results: Of the 1,130 respondents, 11.6% used marijuana and 5.1% used alcohol more than 20 days over the last 30 days (referred to as a frequent drinker hereafter). Over 28% of the students had 5 or more alcoholic drinks at a sitting over the last 2 weeks (referred to as a heavy drinker hereafter).

Nearly 34% of frequent drinkers and 10.4% of non-frequent drinkers used marijuana within the last 30 days (p £0.01). Thus, odds of marijuana use were 4.4 times higher if the respondent was a frequent alcohol user.

Approximately 27.2% of heavy alcohol users and 4.9% of non-heavy alcohol users used marijuana within the last 30 days (p £ 0.01). Thus, odds of marijuana use were 7.2 times higher if the respondent was a heavy drinker. Additionally if a heavy drinker is also a frequent drinker, the odds of marijuana use were 8.4 times higher.

Conclusion: Marijuana and alcohol use are significantly associated among college students. These findings suggest that heavy alcohol use is a stronger risk factor for marijuana use compared to frequent alcohol use.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to

• Recognize the patterns of alcohol use among college students in an Hispanic Institution.
• Understand the impact of alcohol drinking on marijuana use among college students in an Hispanic Institution.

Keywords: Alcohol Use, Marijuana

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No