The role of drinking locations in university student drinking: findings from a national web-based survey.
BACKGROUND
The study examined associations between type of drinking location and alcohol use in a national sample of New Zealand university students.


METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional web-based survey with random sampling of 17- to 24-year-old undergraduates from six university campuses in 2005. There were 2548 respondents (response fraction: 63%). Measures included the number of standard drinks (10 g ethanol) consumed on each day of the preceding week in pubs/bars/nightclubs, student flats/houses, residential halls, and 'other' locations (e.g., restaurants). We used multilevel regression to test for associations between type of drinking location and consumption per episode, adjusting for student- and episode-level covariates.


RESULTS
Respondents consumed an average of 7.1 drinks (SD 5.2) per drinking day, including 5.4 drinks (SD 4.5) in pubs/bars/nightclubs, flats/houses, and residential halls, and 3.7 drinks (SD 3.4) in other locations. Overall, men drank more per location (mean 8.4, SD 6.3) than did women (mean 6.2, SD 4.0). Multilevel analyses revealed positive associations between the first three location types and drinks per episode relative to other locations when adjusting for student- and episode-level covariates including duration of episode.


CONCLUSIONS
Certain drinking locations (i.e., pubs, residential halls, off-campus houses) appear to promote or facilitate heavy alcohol consumption among students. Better enforcement of laws prohibiting service to intoxication should be prioritized to reduce alcohol-related harm among university students. Consideration should be given to strengthening alcohol policies in residential halls and methods for managing heavy drinking in private residences.
School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. kypros.kypri@newcastle.edu.au
Kypros
K
Kypri
Mallie J
MJ
Paschall
John D
JD
Langley
Joanne
J
Baxter
Beth
B
Bourdeau
D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult