Binge drinking in college-aged women: framing a gender-specific prevention strategy.
OBJECTIVE
To provide an overview of binge drinking in college-aged women and to suggest strategies for nurse practitioners (NPs) to assist women in preventing the negative consequences associated with this behavior.


METHODS
Original research articles and comprehensive review articles identified through Medline, CINAHL, and OVID databases.


CONCLUSIONS
Researchers have shown that the rates of binge drinking in college-aged women are increasing, which places these women at increased risk for the long-term complications associated with alcohol use.


CONCLUSIONS
NPs must be aware of this phenomenon and carefully screen women for high-risk alcohol use. Prevention strategies are reviewed and include the use of brief motivational interviews delivered during individual client encounters as well as through Web-based programs.
Kelly-Weeder
Susan
S
William F Connell School of Nursing, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA. kellywee@bc.edu
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000517:prevention & control; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D000431:Ethanol / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D009042:Motivation; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000458:organization & administration; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D013333:Student Health Services / Q000379:methods; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014495:Universities; D014930:Women / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D016387:Women's Health
D000431:Ethanol