Factors associated with risky consumption of alcohol in a sample of university students.

Abstract

During the university period, student wellbeing is exposed to the negative effects of many stressful factors, including the use and abuse of alcoholic beverages. The aim of this study is to estimate the risky alcohol consumption within the student population of the University of Palermo. An anonymous online questionnaire was provided to students enrolled in the mailing list of the Regional Agency for the Right to University Study (ERSU) of the University of Palermo. the first section investigated demographic and social data, while in the second section the A.U.D.I.T. C (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption) test was administered. 539 subjects agreed to the informed consent and completed the questionnaire. The average age of the sample is 22.65 years (SD ± 2.95). Considering as dependent variable "students with risky consumption of alcohol", the statistically significant independent variables associated were: "age class ≤22 years old" (aOR 2.02, 95% CI 1.18-3.44, p=0.019), "don't live with own family" (aOR 3.21, 95% CI 1.81-5.69, p&0.001) and "I currently smoke" (aOR 6.44, 95% CI 3.85-10.79, p&0.001). The results of the study show that about 19% of students experience risky alcohol consumption. This percentage seems not to be gender related. Information and training campaigns focused on alcoholism and related risks are of great importance in order to educate students on the socio-economic costs of alcohol related diseases to public health; parents can play a crucial role in minimising the use of alcohol in their sons/children through dialogue if properly trained to address these issues. In fact, our study seems to show that those who no longer live in the household have a higher risk of alcohol consumption.