title: Know your limits: awareness of the 2009 Australian alcohol guidelines among young people.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Young people are at high risk of alcohol-related harm and injury. This study assessed awareness of the 2009 Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol, understanding of alcohol-related risks and drinking behaviours among young people.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited participants (16-29 years) from a music festival in Melbourne, Australia, January 2010. Participants self-completed a risk behaviour questionnaire which included questions regarding the 2009 guidelines. Characteristics associated with awareness of the guidelines and accurate understanding of a 'safe' number of drinks to avoid long-term harm and injury (defined as a maximum of two drinks daily and four drinks on a single occasion, respectively) were examined using multivariable logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 1381 participants, only 32% were aware of the 2009 guidelines, but the majority had an accurate understanding of the safe number of drinks to avoid long-term harm (74%) and injury (71%). Nonetheless, many reported drinking behaviour with risk of long-term harm (22%) or injury (54%). Participants with lower-risk drinking behaviours were more likely to have an accurate understanding of the safe number of drinks to avoid harm. Males and participants without post-high school education were significantly less likely to be aware of the guidelines and/or have an accurate understanding of alcohol-related risks (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although raising awareness of alcohol-related risks may promote reduced alcohol consumption, many young people reported consuming alcohol at harmful levels despite having an accurate understanding of alcohol-related risks. Multiple approaches to reducing alcohol-related harm in young people should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Population Health, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia. annab@burnet.edu.au
authors.forename: Anna L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Bowring
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gold
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dietze
authors.forename: Maelenn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gouillou
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: van Gemert
authors.forename: Margaret E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Hellard
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D001315:Australia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D040261:Harm Reduction; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012306:Risk; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult