Alcohol use among entrants to a Hong Kong University.
OBJECTIVE
This study of first year entrants to one of the major universities in Hong Kong describes the pattern of their alcohol consumption, their binge drinking, alcohol abuse, and dependence.


METHODS
A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted. A representative sample of year 1 students 2630/2968 (89%) newly admitted to the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2003 were recruited to participate in a structured self-administered questionnaire.


RESULTS
First year university students in Hong Kong have low rates of ever drinking alcohol (62%), and the rates of binge drinking and alcohol-related problems were 7 and 0.8%, respectively. The pattern of binge drinking is more common than weekly drinking (2.3%). Binge drinkers are more likely to have experienced alcohol-related interpersonal problems or (95% CI) = 6.5 (1.7-24.5). Males were more likely to drink, to binge drink, and to drink frequently.


CONCLUSIONS
In contrast with students in the west, the majority of first year university students in Hong Kong are not binge or regular drinkers. However, there is a subgroup who smoke, drink more, and use alcohol as a means of coping with stress. This group may be particularly in need of a brief intervention, such as providing counseling and referral services.
Griffiths
Sian
S
School of Public Health, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 5/F School of Public Health, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, China. siangriffiths@cuhk.edu.hk
Lau
Joseph T F
JT
Chow
Julie K W
JK
Lee
S S
SS
Kan
Pauline Y M Y
PY
Lee
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities