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Identifying Predictors and Prevalence of Alcohol Consumption among University Students: Nine Years of Follow-Up

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  • Lucía Moure-Rodríguez
  • María Piñeiro
  • Montserrat Corral Varela
  • Socorro Rodríguez-Holguín
  • Fernando Cadaveira
  • Francisco Caamaño-Isorna

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of alcohol consumption among university students during late adolescence and young adulthood and to identify the associated factors. Material and Methods: Cohort study among university students in Spain (n = 1382). Heavy Episodic Drinking (HED) and Risky Consumption (RC) were measured with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) at ages 18, 20, 22, 24 and 27 years. Data on potential factors associated with alcohol use were obtained with an additional questionnaire. Multilevel logistic regression for repeated measures was used to obtain adjusted OR (Odds Ratios). Results: The rates of prevalence of RC were lower, but not statistically significant, in women. The age-related changes in these rates were similar in both genders, and the prevalence of RC peaked at 20 years. By contrast, the prevalence of HED was significantly lower in women and peaked at 18 years in women and at 22 years in men. Multivariate models showed that early age of onset of alcohol use (OR = 10.6 and OR = 6.9 for women; OR = 8.3 and OR = 8.2 for men) and positive expectations about alcohol (OR = 7.8 and OR = 4.5 for women; OR = 3.6 and OR = 3.3 for men) were the most important risk factors for RC and HED. Living away from the family home was also a risk factor for both consumption patterns among women (OR = 3.16 and OR = 2.34), while a high maternal education level was a risk factor for RC among both genders (OR = 1.62 for women; OR = 2.49 for men). Conclusions: Alcohol consumption decreases significantly at the end of youth, with higher rates of prevalence and a later peak among men. Prevention strategies should focus on beliefs and expectations about alcohol and on delaying the age of onset. Women are at particular risk for these consumption patterns if they live away from their parents. Belonging to a high-income family is a strong risk factor for RC.

Suggested Citation

  • Lucía Moure-Rodríguez & María Piñeiro & Montserrat Corral Varela & Socorro Rodríguez-Holguín & Fernando Cadaveira & Francisco Caamaño-Isorna, 2016. "Identifying Predictors and Prevalence of Alcohol Consumption among University Students: Nine Years of Follow-Up," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(11), pages 1-15, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0165514
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165514
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chen, K. & Kandel, D.B., 1995. "The natural history of drug use from adolescence to the mid-thirties in a general population sample," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 85(1), pages 41-47.
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