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IntroductionA variety of inconsistencies in the pattern of alcohol use exists between male and female genders.AimTo examine the differences in the rate alcohol use and related problems in the general students’ population in Minsk, Belarus.Materials and methodsA total of 465 males (mean age of 21yrs) and 1030 females (mean age of 20.5yrs) were administered standardized anonymous AUDIT questionnaire. The cut-off point on the AUDIT was set at 8. Statistical analysis: All data analyses were performed using SPSS 16.0 version for Windows; the Pearson criteria and t-test. The probability value for significance was set at p< 0.05. All volumes of alcohol are in values of pure ethanol.ResultsAll in all, 85.7% males and 88.5% females were alcohol users. On the average, the total monthly quantities of alcohol use by the males and females were 131.3ml and 100.9ml respectively. Problem drinkers were 33.7% males and 10.1% females.Discussion and conclusionEven though the rate of alcohol use for the males and females was approximately the same, the percentage of related problems was significantly higher among the male population. Also, the quantity of alcohol use was higher among the males. The present study confirms that alcohol related problems are higher among males, compared to females.

ObjectivesAlcohol use by students is a major public health problem, leading to the Secondhand Effects - decrease in academic performance, injuries, blackouts etc.AimTo determine the extent of alcohol use on academic performance of university students.MethodsParticipants (n=46, mean age - 21 yrs) received the AUDIT questionnaire and other alcohol related questions. Grade Point Average and the effectiveness to sit for examinations of all participants from the 1st to 6th semesters of university education were used as objective criteria for problems related with alcohol use. The Pearson χ2 and Student's t-tests were employed for analysis of results. The probability value for significance was set at p< 0.05.ResultsAlcohol and non-alcohol users were 41.3% and 58.7% respectively. Among alcohol users, the average quantity of alcohol used by one person per month was 37ml of absolute ethanol. A 10.9 - 11.4% higher rate of academic performance was noted among the non-alcohol users only in the 3rd, 4th and 5th, 6th semesters. The cases of injuries and blackouts were higher among the alcohol users by approximately 35 times. About 75% of all drinkers reported alcohol use only during their university education. The dose-time response effect of alcohol use on cademic performance was also proven.