[What, how much and when the university student drinks]

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Higher Education Studies

Background:

• Alcohol consumption is a significant public health concern, particularly among young adults.
• Understanding drinking patterns in university settings is crucial for targeted interventions.
• Previous research indicates varied prevalence rates of alcohol use in student populations globally.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the epidemiological profile of alcohol ingestion among university students.
• To identify the associated health and academic risks linked to student drinking habits.
• To establish baseline data on alcohol consumption patterns at Austral University.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional social survey was administered to a random sample of 528 university students.
• Participants' ages ranged from 17 to 26 years, with 54% being male.
• Data collected included drinking frequency, types of alcohol consumed, inebriation episodes, and self-reported academic performance.

Main Results:

• A high prevalence of alcohol consumption was observed, with 82% of males and 79% of females reporting drinking.
• Beer and strong spirits were the most commonly consumed beverages, primarily during social events.
• Significant percentages reported multiple inebriations annually (30% males, 15% females), with 9% of males and 3% of females identified as problem drinkers.
• Students who consumed alcohol tended to have lower academic grades compared to non-drinkers.

Conclusions:

• Alcohol consumption is a frequent behavior among the surveyed university students.
• Problem drinking and negative academic consequences are associated with alcohol use in this demographic.
• Findings highlight the need for university-based prevention and intervention strategies for alcohol misuse.