Problems associated with alcohol consumption by university students

descriptive correlational study that included 396 university students. The "Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test" - (AUDIT) - and an "ad hoc" questionnaire were used as instruments to assess the associated problems.

RESULTS:

of the total sample, 88.6% drank, 20.5% had harmful consumption and 14.9% were at risk of dependence according to AUDIT. The study showed important results related to harmful alcohol consumption and dependence, with damage to the academic performance, social relationships, psychological status and sexual condition.

CONCLUSIONS:

complications caused by problematic alcohol consumption by university students, which is high in this group due to the high prevalence of their alcohol consumption, highlights the importance of promoting programs to prevent the abuse and dependence of this substance in universities.

Alcohol Drinking; Students; Social Problems

Variable		Results N(%)
Age*
	Under 18 years old	(13) 3.3%
	18-25 years old	(297) 75%
	Over 25 years	(86) 21.7%
Gender
	Female	(238) 60.1%
	Male	(158) 39.9%
Marital status
	Single	(323) 81.6%
	Married	(38) 9.6%
	Engaged	(27) 6.8%
	Separated	(8) 2%
Socio-economic level^†
	Section 1 e 2	(71) 18%
	Section 3	(198) 50%
	Section 4	(98) 24.7%
	Section 5 e 6	(27) 6.8%

Academic problems and AUDIT		Yes		No		Total	P value
Academic problems and AUDIT		n	%	n	%	Total	P value
Absences or delays in the classes							≤0.001
	Risk-free consumption	24	12.3	171	87.7	195
	Hazardous consumption	41	37.3	69	62.7	110
	Dependence	31	67.4	15	32.6	46
Low academic performance							≤0.001
	Risk-free consumption	5	2.6	190	97.4	195
	Hazardous consumption	18	16.4	92	83.6	110
	Dependence	24	52.2	22	47.8	46

Personal problems and AUDIT		Yes		No		Total	P value
Personal problems and AUDIT		n	%	n	%	Total	P value
Infection with STDs							0.005
	Risk-free consumption	1	0.5	194	99.5	195
	Hazardous consumption	4	3.6	106	96.4	110
	Dependence	4	8.7	42	91.3	46
Unwanted parenting							0.022
	Risk-free consumption	6	3.1	189	96.9	195
	Hazardous consumption	8	7.3	102	92.7	110
	Dependence	6	13.0	40	87.0	46
Physical aggressions							0.000
	Risk-free consumption	5	2.6	190	97.4	195
	Hazardous consumption	6	5.5	104	94.5	110
	Dependence	10	21.7	36	78.3	46
Traffic accident as a driver or pedestrian							0.022
	Risk-free consumption	6	3.1	189	96.9	195
	Hazardous consumption	8	7.3	102	92.7	110
	Dependence	6	13.0	40	87.0	46
Problems with the authorities for driving under the influence of alcohol							0.000
	Risk-free consumption	3	1.5	192	98.5	195
	Hazardous consumption	6	5.5	104	94.5	110
	Dependence	11	23.9	35	76.1	46
Health problems							0.000
	Risk-free consumption	8	4.1	187	95.9	195
	Hazardous consumption	20	18.2	90	81.8	110
	Dependence	19	41.3	27	58.7	46

Social and familial problems and AUDIT		Yes		No		Total	Value p
Social and familial problems and AUDIT		n	%	n	%	Total	Value p
Fights and arguments with friends							≤0.001
	Risk-free consumption	26	13.3	169	86.7	195
	Hazardous consumption	28	25.5	82	74.5	110
	Dependence	24	52.2	22	47.8	46
Fights and arguments with strangers							≤0.001
	Risk-free consumption	12	6.2	183	93.8	195
	Hazardous consumption	16	14.5	94	85.5	110
	Dependence	19	41.3	27	58.7	46
Loss of friends							0.030
	Risk-free consumption	11	5.6	184	94.4	195
	Hazardous consumption	11	10.0	99	90.0	110
	Dependence	8	17.4	38	82.6	46
Loss of partners							≤0.001
	Risk-free consumption	12	6.2	183	93.8	195
	Hazardous consumption	14	12.7	96	87.3	110
	Dependence	18	39.1	28	60.9	46
Conflict with parents							≤0.001
	Risk-free consumption	19	9.7	176	9.3	195
	Hazardous consumption	28	25.5	82	74.5	110
	Dependence	23	50.0	23	50.0	46

Psychological problems and AUDIT		Yes		No		Total	P value
Psychological problems and AUDIT		n	%	n	%	Total	P value
Depression							≤0.001
	Risk-free consumption	19	9.7	176	90.3	195
	Hazardous consumption	38	34.5	72	65.5	110
	Dependence	22	47.8	24	52.2	46
Anxiety							≤0.001
	Risk-free consumption	17	8.7	178	91.3	195
	Hazardous consumption	41	37.3	69	62.7	110
	Dependence	23	50.0	23	50.0	46
Emocional Oscillations							≤0.001
	Risk-free consumption	38	19.5	157	80.5	195
	Hazardous consumption	55	50.0	55	50.0	110
	Dependence	26	56.5	20	43.5	46
Irritability. low tolerance							≤0.001
	Risk-free consumption	17	8.7	178	91.3	195
	Hazardous consumption	24	21.8	86	78.2	110
	Dependence	17	37.0	29	63.0	46

Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto / Universidade de São Paulo Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14040-902 Ribeirão Preto SP Brazil, Tel.: +55 (16) 3315-3451 / 3315-4407 - Ribeirão Preto - SP - Brazil
E-mail: rlae@eerp.usp.br

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[1] Corresponding Author: Guillermo Alonso Castaño-Perez Fundación Universitaria Luis Amigó. Facultad de Psicología y Ciencias Sociales Transversal, 51A, #67B, 90 Medellín, Colombia E-mail: gcastano@funlam.edu.co