title: The Drinkers Degree: Risk Taking Behaviours amongst Undergraduate Student Drinkers.
abstract: Objective. To examine risk taking behaviours associated with alcohol consumption amongst UK undergraduate students.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional web survey was used to assess attitudes and health behaviours. The survey included the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Students were also asked about why they drank alcohol; about their preferred alcoholic beverage; and if they had experienced any consequences associated with drinking alcohol as well as questions relating to sexual risk taking, drug use, and smoking. Results. 2779 (65% female; 84% White British) students completed some part of the survey. Of these, 98% (n = 2711) completed the AUDIT. Of the 92% that drank 66% (n = 1,643) were categorised as being AUDIT positive. 8% (n = 224) were categorised as probably alcohol dependent. Higher AUDIT scores were significantly associated with negative consequences such as unplanned sexual activity, physical injuries, and arguments. Other risk taking behaviours such as drug use and smoking were also found to be positively correlated with higher AUDIT scores; drug use; and smoking. Conclusions. The results from this study provide insight into students' alcohol consumption and associated risk taking. University policies need to protect students' overall health and wellbeing to ensure academic potential is maximised.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4AX, UK ; Durham County Council, Durham DH1 5UJ, UK.
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: O'Neill
authors.affiliation: Balance, North East Alcohol Office, Durham DH1 1TW, UK.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4AX, UK.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Birch
authors.affiliation: Student Wellbeing Service, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK.
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oldam
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Social Care, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BA, UK.
authors.forename: Dorothy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Newbury-Birch