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Background High levels of drinking and alcohol-related problems are pervasive among university students in New Zealand and other high-income countries, where controls on alcohol availability and promotion are typically weak. Environmental interventions to reduce hazardous drinking and harm have shown promise in general populations, but require further evidence of effectiveness in university settings. The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of a community liaison and security program, Campus Watch, on drinking patterns and alcohol-related harm among university students. Methods The study used a quasi-experimental design with non-equivalent control sites using before (2005) and after (2009) observations. Participants were full-time students aged 17–25 years selected randomly from the enrolment lists of six New Zealand universities. Changes in scores on the alcohol use disorders identification consumption scale (AUDIT-C) and alcohol-related harms at the intervention campus were compared with those at control campuses using linear and logistic regression models. Results Compared to control campuses, AUDIT-C scores decreased in students at the intervention campus ( β = −0.5, 95% CI: −0.6 to −0.3). Campus Watch was associated with reductions in some harms (independent of its effect on drinking), such as aggression (aOR 0.66, 95% CI: 0.46 to 0.94), but not other harms, e.g., blackouts (aOR 1.06, 95% CI: 0.89 to 1.27). Conclusion While not being focused on alcohol per se, Campus Watch reduced alcohol consumption and some related harms. Such programs may be useful in similar environments where controls on alcohol availability and promotion cannot be affected and where informal controls are weak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Aims. The prevalence of hazardous drinking among university students in New Zealand is very high, but the impacts on sexual behaviour are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and correlates of alcohol-related risky and unwanted sexual experiences. Methods. We conducted a web-based survey of a random sample of university students, asking about specific experiences resulting from their own drinking or the drinking of others, and some beliefs about drinking. Results. A total of 1564 students responded (82%) and the following were reported as the result of drinking, by women and men respectively, in the last 3 months: unprotected sex 11% and 15%; sex they were not happy with at the time 6% and 7%; sex later regretted 16% and 19%. Also, 34% of women and 25% of men reported unwanted sexual advances in the past 4 weeks as a result of other people's drinking. These experiences were all associated positively with Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores of the respondents, certain types of living arrangements and specific attitudes to drinking. In addition, 1% of women and 0.5% of men reported sexual assault in the past 4 weeks. Discussion and Conclusions. Interventions to reduce alcohol-related risky sexual behaviours should target both male and female drinkers and identifiable subgroups at higher risk. Prevention policy should also address the high levels of availability and promotion of alcohol in the campus environment. [Cashell-Smith ML, Connor JL, Kypri K. Harmful effects of alcohol on sexual behaviour in a New Zealand university community. Drug Alcohol Rev 2007;26:645 - 651] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In New Zealand and other middle to high income countries, university student are at high risk of alcohol-related injury and other problems due to their typical pattern of episodic heavy drinking. In 2007, one university implemented Campus Watch, a novel and extensive programme to reduce social disorder, including alcohol-related injury, in the university area. Objectives To quantify the effects of this complex intervention. Setting A large public university campus and surrounding community in New Zealand. Design A health promotion evaluation model was used, examining: (1) how the programme was developed, introduced and received by the community? (process); (2) whether the programme affected behaviour? (impact); and (3) whether the programme reduced social disorder and alcohol-related harm in particular? (outcome). The outcome phase uses a non-equivalent control group design to measure changes occurring in the Campus Watch area compared with other universities, and with a same-city control site. Participants Programme staff, university students and other community members. Data Interviews with university administrators and Campus Watch staff; surveys of local residents' views; Campus Watch incident data; national surveys of university students in 2005, 2007 and 2009; police data; fire department data. Outcome Measures Prevalence of heavy episodic drinking; number of acute alcohol-related harms; incidence of antisocial behaviour, assault and street fires. Analysis Regression analyses will be used to examine changes in the intervention site relative to changes in the control areas. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]