Related Experiment Videos
Trends in alcohol consumption in undergraduate third level students: 1992-1999
S O'Brien1, H Sinclair, S Soni
1Department of Community Health and General Practice, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
Irish Journal of Medical Science
|March 29, 2002
Summary
Male Irish students significantly reduced alcohol consumption between 1992 and 1999, contrary to general population trends. However, male problem drinking increased, while female consumption remained stable.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Recent increases in alcohol consumption observed in the general Irish population.
- Limited data exists on the impact of these trends on the student demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess alcohol consumption levels among undergraduates at an Irish university.
- To track changes in student drinking patterns from 1992 to 1999.
Main Methods:
- Anonymous, self-completed questionnaires administered to a stratified random sample of undergraduates.
- Cross-faculty sampling conducted in both 1992 and 1999.
- Inclusion of the CAGE questionnaire to identify problem drinking behaviors.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant decrease (p=0.01) in weekly alcohol consumption was observed in male students.
- The proportion of male students identified as problem drinkers showed an increase.
- Alcohol consumption levels for female students remained unchanged over the study period.
Conclusions:
- Study findings contrast with broader trends in young Irish people's drinking habits.
- The decline in male student alcohol intake may correlate with increased awareness of negative health effects or a shift to alternative substances.
- Problem drinking among male students warrants further investigation despite reduced overall consumption.