Abstract:

INTRODUCTION: University period is associated with many fundamental changes in human life. Alcohol use among university students have been shown to be high and to be associated with remarkable harm. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of alcohol use, risky drinking and heavy drinking among university students and to investigate psychological, behavioral and social factors associated with alcohol use. METHODS: This cross sectional, web-based, self-report study was carried out in … University between 2012 September-2013 September. The questionairre included sections of demographic data, alcohol use and characteristics associated with alcohol use. Risky drinking was measured by CAGE questionnaire. The analysis was conducted based on 2973 subjects. RESULTS: 76.2% of the sample had at least once lifetime use of alcohol. 12.1% had risky and 37.2% had heavy drinking. History of substance use and smoking were the factors affecting lifetime use of alcohol and risky drinking and heavy drinking. Problematic alcohol use of siblings was the factor affecting lifetime use of alcohol and risky drinking. And living alone or with friends was the factor affecting lifetime use of alcohol and heavy drinking. Physical fights and injuries, self-harming behavior, being exposed to violence from a partner and, planning/attempting suicide were seen at higher rates in students with lifetime use of alcohol and risky drinking and heavy drinking. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The prevalence of alcohol use and factors associated with alcohol use in university students indicate that community and university supported interventions for prevention are required in this population.

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