title: Hazardous alcohol consumption among university students in Ireland: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is considerable evidence of a cultural shift towards heavier alcohol consumption among university students, especially women. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence and correlates of hazardous alcohol consumption (HAC) among university students with particular reference to gender and to compare different modes of data collection in this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A large Irish university.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study using a classroom distributed paper questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 2275 undergraduates completed the classroom survey, 84% of those in class and 51% of those registered for the relevant module.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prevalence of HAC measured using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test for Consumption (AUDIT-C) and the proportion of university students reporting 1 or more of 13 adverse consequences linked to HAC. HAC was defined as an AUDIT-C score of 6 or more among males and 5 or more among females.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the classroom sample, 66.4% (95% CI 64.4 to 68.3) reported HAC (65.2% men and 67.3% women). In women, 57.4% met HAC thresholds for men. Similar patterns of adverse consequences were observed among men and women. Students with a hazardous consumption pattern were more likely to report smoking, illicit drug use and being sexually active.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings highlight the high prevalence of HAC among university students relative to the general population. Public policy measures require review to tackle the short-term and long-term risks to physical, mental and social health and well-being.
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors: Martin P
authors: MP
authors: Davoren
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors: Frances
authors: F
authors: Shiely
authors: Student Health Department, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Byrne
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors: Ivan J
authors: IJ
authors: Perry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000639:trends; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: EPIDEMIOLOGY; PUBLIC HEALTH
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