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AimOur aim was to investigate potential differences in mental health, self-rated health, risky sexual behaviour, alcohol use, and drug use between (1) Prospective exchange students and campus students separated by sex, and (2) male and female students as a group.MethodComparative cross-sectional design using an online survey containing the following instruments: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Sexual Behaviour in Young People in Sweden; Self-Rated Health Questionnaire; and General Health Questionnaire 12. One-hundred and fourteen prospective exchange students and 451 campus students participated in the study.ResultsMale prospective exchange students rated their mental health as being better and had used cannabis more often compared with female prospective exchange students. Male prospective exchange students also rated their mental health as being better than male campus students. Female students, in general, rated their mental health as worse than male students. A larger proportion of male prospective exchange students had sex together with alcohol compared with male campus students, and a larger proportion of female prospective exchange students had sex with a new partner and drank more alcohol compared to female campus students.ConclusionThe result shows that risky alcohol use and sexually risky behaviour is prominent amongst prospective exchange students. It is possible that they will continue, and even increase their risky behaviour whilst abroad as they find themselves in a new social context, and free from influence of the rules and restrictions that they might have at home. With limited knowledge of the local culture, native language, and in an unfamiliar environment, it is possible that the risks will be enhanced and possibly decrease their health. This highlights the need for proactive interventions, conceivably with some variations in content between sexes.

The transition from high school to college as well as the time during college is a risk period for problematic alcohol use among adolescents and young adults. The protective effect of civic activity on alcohol use and other aspects of well-being have been documented in both adolescence and young adulthood. However, the trajectory of this relationship between these two stages of the life course has not been well examined. This prospective survey study (N = 220) examined the influence of civic activity on alcohol use, flourishing, and college self-efficacy across the transition into college. Logistic regression models showed that higher participation in civic acts during high school was associated with lower likelihood of college alcohol problems among the sample as they began their college careers. However, collegiate civic activity showed no added protective effect on alcohol use during the first year of college. The only significant predictor of alcohol problems at the end of the first year of college was alcohol problems at the beginning of the year. Participants who reported any alcohol problems upon entering college had 6.4 times the odds of reporting drinking problems at the end of the first year than their peers who did not report any alcohol problems at the beginning of the year. Both pre-collegiate and collegiate civic activity predicted increased flourishing and college self-efficacy. Findings suggest that high school civic activity may have protective effects during the transition from adolescence to emerging adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Longitudinal assessment is useful for tracking patterns of alcohol use over time. Non-response is a common feature of longitudinal design and can bias estimates of alcohol use if there exist systematic differences between respondents and non-respondents. We investigated whether alcohol use, health status, and sociodemographic characteristics were determinants of non-response in a longitudinal cohort of women in the general population. We used data from a stratified, random sample of 479 women born in 1925, 1935, 1945, 1955, 1965, and 829 women born in 1970 and 1975, who were initially selected as participants in the Women and Alcohol in Gothenburg project. Results from multivariable logistic regression revealed that problematic alcohol use, depression, poor self-rated physical health, and basic education were associated with increased odds of non-response among women born in 1925, 1935, 1945, 1955, and 1965. Among women born between 1970 and 1975, older age and being unmarried increased the odds of non-response at follow-up. Surprisingly, problematic alcohol use and poor health were not associated with non-response in these younger birth cohorts. This study finding suggests that approaches to improve future survey response rates need to consider factors of greatest relevance to birth year and age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increased prevalence of alcohol use among U.S. older adults in the face of known consequences is concerning. Reducing acute and chronic risks associated with alcohol use is an important goal for this population. This article describes studies in which informational and educational interventions were provided with the goal of reducing alcohol use among older adults. A sample script is provided to guide healthcare providers and older adults' significant others in a conversation to inform and educate elders on their risk related to alcohol use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overwhelming evidence highlights the negative impact of substance use on HIV care and treatment outcomes. Yet, the extent to which alcohol use disorder (AUD) and other substance use disorders (SUD) services have been integrated within HIV clinical settings is limited. We describe AUD/SUD screening and treatment availability in HIV clinical sites participating in the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) consortium. In 2020, 223 IeDEA HIV clinical sites from 41 countries across seven geographic regions completed a survey on capacity and practices related to management of AUD/ SUD. Sites provided information on AUD and other SUD screening and treatment practices. Sites were from low-income countries (23%), lower-middle-income countries (38%), upper-middle income countries (17%) and high-income counties (23%). AUD and SUD screening using validated instruments were reported at 32% (n=71 located in 12 countries) and 12% (n=27 located in 6 countries) of the 223 sites from 41 countries, respectively. The North American region had the highest proportion of clinics that reported AUD screening (76%), followed by East Africa (46%); none of the sites in West or Central Africa reported AUD screening. 31% (n=69) reported both AUD screening and counseling, brief intervention, psychotherapy, or Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment; 8% (n=18) reported AUD screening and detox hospitalization; and 10% (n=24) reported both AUD screening and medication. While the proportion of clinics providing treatment for SUD was lower than those treating AUD, the prevalence estimates of treatment availability were similar. Availability of screening and treatment for AUD/SUD in HIV care settings is limited, leaving a substantial gap for integration into ongoing HIV care. A critical understanding is needed of the multilevel implementation factors or feasible implementation strategies for integrating screening and treatment of AUD/SUD into HIV care settings, particularly for resource-constrained regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intercollegiate athletes have been identified as an at-risk group for heavy alcohol consumption. The purpose of the present study was to use a longitudinal design to assess for off-season versus in-season differences in alcohol consumption within a sample of intercollegiate athletes. Previous research has suggested that athletes drink less during their competitive seasons, but conclusions from this body of research have been tempered by methodological limitations in the previous studies. Results from 160 athletes competing at the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I level indicated that alcohol use and negative alcohol-related consequences decreased during the athletes' competitive seasons. These results are interpreted in terms of the theory of planned behavior and social norms theory. Implications for alcohol prevention programs among college athletes are also addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Despite study abroad students frequently engaging in risky behaviors, there is a dearth of research exploring prevention efforts taken by study abroad programs. The goal of this project was to examine information presented on study abroad program websites regarding sexual assault, alcohol use, drug use, and risky sexual behavior. Participants: A total of 753 universities in the US were selected from the Carnegie Classification of Institutes database. Method: Coders evaluated the website of each institution's study abroad program for the presence of information about the four factors of interest. Results: Sixty-seven percent of the websites provided no information on any of these risk behaviors. Chi-square analyses revealed institutional demographic differences in the presentation of prevention information. We also identified three emerging themes about avenues for modifying website content. Conclusion: Study abroad programs can provide more detail and action oriented information on their websites for students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To investigate gambling expenditure and its relationship with socio-demographics, health-related correlates and past-year gambling behaviour. Design Cross-sectional population survey. Setting Population-based survey in Finland. Participants Finnish people aged 15-74 years drawn randomly from the Population Information System. The participants in this study were past-year gamblers with gambling expenditure data available ( n = 3251, 1418 women and 1833 men). Measurements Expenditure shares, means of weekly gambling expenditure (WGE, €) and monthly gambling expenditure as a percentage of net income (MGE/NI, %) were calculated. The correlates used were perceived health, smoking, mental health [Mental Health Inventory (MHI)-5], alcohol use [Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)-C], game types, gambling frequency, gambling mode and gambling severity [South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS)]. Findings Gender (men versus women) was found to be associated significantly with gambling expenditure, with exp(β) = 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.29, 1.52 and P < 0.005 for WGE, and exp(β) = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.27, 1.51 and P < 0.005 for MGE/NI. All gambling behaviour correlates were associated significantly with WGE and MGE/NI: gambling frequency (several times a week versus once a month/less than monthly, exp(β) = 30.75, 95% CI = 26.89, 35.17 and P < 0.005 for WGE, and exp(β) = 31.43, 95% CI = 27.41, 36.03 and P < 0.005 for MGE/NI), gambling severity (probable pathological gamblers versus non-problem gamblers, exp(β) = 2.83, 95% CI = 2.12, 3.77 and P < 0.005 for WGE, and exp(β) = 2.67, 95% CI = 2.00, 3.57 and P < 0.005 for MGE/NI) and on-line gambling (on-line and land-based versus land-based only, exp(β) = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.24, 1.47 and P < 0.005 for WGE, and exp(β) = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.24, 1.47 and P < 0.005 for MGE/NI). Conclusions In Finland, male gender is associated significantly with both weekly gambling expenditure and monthly gambling expenditure related to net income. People in Finland with lower incomes contribute proportionally more of their income to gambling compared with middle- and high-income groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims We estimated the degree to which the relationship between socio-economic position (SEP) and alcohol-related disorders is attenuated after adjustment for levels and patterns of drinking, behavioural, material and social factors. Design A longitudinal cohort study with baseline in 2002, with linkage to register data on patient care and deaths in 2002-11 to yield the outcome measures. Setting Stockholm County, Sweden. Participants Respondents to baseline survey aged 25-64 ( n = 17 440) with information on all studied covariates. Measurements Occupational class was the studied SEP indicator and a combined measure of volume of weekly alcohol consumption and frequency of heavy episodic drinking, smoking, employment status, income, social support, marital status and education, all at baseline, were the studied covariates. Alcohol-related disorders ( n = 388) were indicated by first register entries on alcohol-related medical care or death during the follow-up. Findings Unskilled workers had an approximately four times greater risk of alcohol-related disorders than higher non-manual employees, hazard ratio (HR) = 4.08 (2.78, 5.98). After adjustment for alcohol use, the SEP difference in risk for alcohol-related harm fell by a fourth for the same group, HR = 2.91 (1.96, 4.33). The difference was reduced further when behavioural factors and material factors were taken into account, HR = 2.09 (1.34, 3.26), whereas adjusting for social factors and attained education resulted in smaller reductions. Conclusions Socio-economic differences in alcohol use explain one fourth of the socio-economic position differences in alcohol-related disorders in Stockholm, Sweden. Hazardous alcohol use and other behavioural, material and social factors together explain nearly 60% of the socio-economic position differences in alcohol-related disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anger is seen as comorbid condition in psychiatric conditions. It has an impact on one's quality of life. It leads to variation in the treatment outcome. The present study is going to explore the relationship of anger with treatment outcome among alcohol users after 1 year of treatment. The data for the present study were taken from the project work on correlates of anger among alcohol users, funded by center for addiction medicine, NIMHANS, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 males (50 alcohol-dependent and 50 abstainers) in the age range of 20-45 years with a primary diagnosis of alcohol dependence were taken for the study. They were administered a semi-structured interview schedule to obtain information about sociodemographic details, information about alcohol use, its relationship with anger and its effects on anger control and the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory. Results: 68% of the dependent and abstainers perceived anger as negative emotion and 76% in control perceived it as negative. The presence of significant difference was seen for relapsers group in relation to trait anger and state anger. The group who remained abstinent from the intake to follow-up differs significantly from the dependent group in relation to state anger and anger control out. Mean score was higher on trait anger for the dependent group. Conclusions: It has implication for anger management intervention/matching of treatment with users attributes and helping the users to develop the behavioral repertoires to manage anger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Youth obesity rates in Canada continue to rise. In this study, we produced conservative estimates of the potential excess calories from alcohol use across different alcohol consumption patterns common among Canadian youth to assess whether alcohol use should be considered in future obesity prevention strategies. Methods: Using data from 10 144 Grade 12 students participating in the COMPASS study (2013/14), we estimated the number of calories consumed per year from alcohol consumption. Our estimates were based on three different generic types of alcoholic beverages, which were grouped according to average calorie content (vodka coolers; beer [5%]; and beer [4%], wine and liquor) across different frequencies of alcohol use and binge drinking. Results: Results indicated high potential caloric intake for students who binge drank, as well as high variability in the estimates for calories consumed based on common consumption patterns for the different beverage types. For instance, 27.2% of students binge drank once per month, meaning they consumed between 6000 and 13 200 calories in one year (equivalent to 0.78 - 1.71 kg of fat). For the 4.9% of students who binge drank twice per week, the total calories in one year would range from 52 000 to 114 400 (equivalent to 6.74 - 14.83 kg of fat). Conclusion: Current recommendations for preventing youth obesity do not generally include any consideration of alcohol use. The high prevalence of frequent alcohol consumption and binge drinking by youth in this study and the substantial number of calories contained in alcoholic beverages suggest alcohol use among youth may warrant consideration in relation to youth obesity prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Globally, alcohol use is the leading cause of ill health and life years lost in adolescents, although its clinical impact is often overlooked, particularly in England where most research is based in schools. This study aims to examine the prevalence of alcohol consumption and the association between alcohol consumption and age of onset with health and social consequences among adolescents presenting to emergency departments (EDs). Methods Consecutive attenders (n = 5,576) aged 10–17 years at 10 EDs were included. Information was collected on general health and functioning, quality of life, alcohol use, and alcohol-related health and social consequences. Results Nearly 40% of adolescents reported the consumption of alcohol that was more than a sip in their lifetime. Age of the first alcohol consumption before the age of 15 years was associated with tobacco use ( p < .001), lower quality of life ( p = .003), and evidence of an alcohol use disorder ( p = .002). It was also associated with general social functioning (problems with conduct p = .001 and hyperactivity p = .001) and alcohol-related health and social consequences (accident p = .046, problems with a parent p = .017, school p = .0117, or police p = .012). Conclusions Rates of alcohol consumption in adolescents presenting to the ED were similar to those reported in schools in England and globally. Associations of alcohol consumption and earlier onset of drinking with poorer health and social functioning were observed. The ED can offer an opportunity for the identification of hazardous alcohol use in adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although research has examined alcohol consumption and sport in a variety of contexts, there is a paucity of research on gender and gender dynamics among French college students. The present study addresses this gap in the literature by examining alcohol use practices by men and women among a non-probability sample of French sport science students from five different universities in Northern France. We utilized both survey data ( N = 534) and in-depth qualitative interviews ( n = 16) to provide empirical and theoretical insight into a relatively ubiquitous health concern: the culture of intoxication. Qualitative data were based on students' perceptions of their own alcohol use; analysis were framed by theoretical conceptions of gender. Survey results indicate gender differences in alcohol consumption wherein men reported a substantially higher frequency and quantity of alcohol use compared to their female peers. Qualitative findings confirm that male privilege and women's concern for safety, masculine embodiment via alcohol use, gendering of alcohol type, and gender conformity pressures shape gender disparities in alcohol use behavior. Our findings also suggest that health education policy and educational programs focused on alcohol-related health risks need to be designed to take into account gender category and gender orientation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical activity, alcohol use and smoking might affect cardiovascular disease through modifying autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity. We investigated: 1) whether there are consistent relationships between lifestyle factors and cardiac ANS activity over time, and 2) whether 2-year changes in lifestyle factors relate to 2-year changes in cardiac activity. Baseline (n=2618) and 2-year follow-up (n=2010) data of the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety was combined. Baseline data was collected in the Netherlands from 2004-2007. Lifestyle factors were habitual physical activity, frequency of sport activities, alcohol use, and smoking. Indicators of cardiac activity were heart rate (HR), respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and pre-ejection period (PEP) (100min of registration). The results showed that high physical activity (-1.8beats/min compared to low activity), high frequency of sport activities ('couple of times/week': -2.5beats/min compared to 'almost never') and mild/moderate alcohol use (-1.2beats/min compared to non-drinking) were related to low HR. Heavy smoking was related to high HR (>30cigarettes/day: +5.1beats/min compared to non-smoking). High frequency of sport activities was associated with high RSA ('couple of times/week':+1.7ms compared to 'almost never') and moderate smoking with longer PEP (11-20cigarettes/day: +2.8ms compared to non-smoking). Associations were consistent across waves. Furthermore, 2-year change in frequency of sport activities and number of smoked cigarettes/day was accompanied by 2-year change in HR (β=-0.076 and β=0.101, respectively) and RSA (β=0.046 and β=-0.040, respectively). Our findings support consistent effects of lifestyle on HR and parasympathetic activity in the expected direction. Cardiac autonomic dysregulation may be partly mediating the relationship between lifestyle and subsequent cardiovascular health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Reducing harmful levels of alcohol consumption among children is an important public health concern internationally and in many high income countries. Little is known about levels and predictors of alcohol use among children with intellectual disability (ID). Method Secondary analysis of child self-report data at age 11 years collected in the UK's Millennium Cohort Study. Results Children with ID were significantly more likely to: have used alcohol in the last 4 weeks; to have had five or more alcoholic drinks on one occasion; to have had five or more alcoholic drinks or been intoxicated on one occasion; to have more positive attitudes about the psychological and social benefits of drinking; and to have less negative attitudes about the social and physical costs of drinking. Potentially harmful levels of drinking (intoxication or 5+ alcoholic drinks on one occasion) among children with ID were associated with child smoking, having friends who use alcohol, reporting that drinking makes it easier to make friends, and reporting that drinking reduces worrying. Children with ID accounted for 9% of all children with potentially harmful levels of drinking. Conclusion Public health interventions to reduce potentially harmful drinking among children in general must recognise that children with ID are a potentially high risk group and ensure that interventions are appropriately adjusted to take account of their particular needs and situation. Future research in this area is needed to untangle the causal pathways between attitudes toward alcohol and alcohol use among children with ID and the extent to which levels of alcohol use and predictors of alcohol use may be moderated by severity of ID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There are about 30 million migrant workers in India. Migrant workers contribute significantly to the unorganised sector of occupation.The stressors associated with migrant's lifestyle are language barriers, unpredictable nature of housing or work, being away from friends and family, worries about socialisation and education of their children. Migrants are more susceptible to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse. Migrants may use increased alcohol and other drugs to offset the stressors of migrant life, boredom, and feelings of depression and anxiety. Thus, mental health and alcohol use among migrants become a vicious cycle. Need for the study: The Mental health status and alcohol use among migrant workers has been studied the least. Objectives: This study assesses the alcohol abuse, mental health status and associated factors among the internal migrant workers. Methodology: A cross sectional study was done among migrant workers staying in villages under Bangalore urban District, Karnataka, India. A sample size of 210 was estimated and the workers were selected from different work places like construction sites, quarries, rosegardens using non probability convenient sampling. The study tool consisted of an interview schedule with socio-demographic details and occupation. The mental health status was assessed using Modified MINI screen (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview). Alcoholism was measured using FIGS (Family Interview for Genetic studies) questionnaire. Chi square test and independent 't'test was used to analyse data as appropriate. Results: Among the 210 study subjects, 183 (87%) were males and 27 (13%) were females with mean age of 28.31 with S.D. of 9.52 and majority 130 (62%) were working in construction sites. Among the migrant workers it was observed that 40 (19%) were screened positive for mental health problems and 45 (21%) consumed alcohol. 4%, 2%, 1% of them were abusing, suffering from withdrawal, suffering from dependence of alcohol respectively. MMS positivity was associated with alcohol withdrawal, alcohol abuse, gender (more in females), with place of work (rose and brick factory), and health problems. Conclusion: Among the study subjects, 40 (19%) were screened positive for mental health problems and 45 (21%) were currently consuming alcohol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The patient health questionnaire ( PHQ) is designed for screening psychopathology in primary care settings. However, little is known about its clinical utility in other chronic pain populations, which usually have high psychiatric comorbidities. Design A consecutive cohort of 546 patients with chronic disabling occupational musculoskeletal disorder ( CDOMD) was administered and compared upon psychosocial assessments, including the PHQ and a structured clinical interview for DSM- IV ( SCID). Four PHQ modules were assessed: major depressive disorder ( MDD), generalized anxiety disorder ( GAD), panic disorder ( PD), and alcohol use disorders ( AUD) [including both alcohol abuse and dependence]. Based on the SCID diagnosis, sensitivity and specificity were determined. Results The specificity of the PHQ ranged from moderate to high for all 4 PHQ modules ( MDD, 0.79; GAD, 0.67; PD, 0.89; AUD, 0.97). However, the sensitivity was relatively low: MDD (0.58); GAD (0.61); PD (0.49); and AUD (0.24). The PHQ was also associated with psychosocial variables. Patients whose PHQ showed MDD, GAD, or PD reported significantly more depressive symptoms and perceived disability than patients who did not ( Ps < 0.001). Patients with MDD or GAD reported significantly higher pain than those without ( Ps < 0.001). Conclusions The strong specificity of the PHQ appears to be its primary strength for this cohort. Due to its high specificity, the PHQ could be employed as an additional screening tool to help rule out potential psychiatric comorbidity in patients with CDOMD. The low sensitivity of the PHQ in this population, however, remains a weakness of the PHQ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little population-based data among middle-aged adults exists examining the relationships between depressive symptoms, alcohol use, and socio-economic status (SES). This study aimed to describe the relationships between depressive symptoms and alcohol use at different levels of SES and to determine differences across SES levels among a population-based sample of 40 and 45 year old adults in Norway.Methods: This analysis was based on data from two Norwegian health studies conducted in 2000 and 2001, and included community-dwelling Norwegian men and women aged 40 and 45 years. Self-reported frequency and quantity of alcoholic drinks was used to calculate past-year typical quantity of drinks consumed and frequency of 5+ drinks per occasion, or heavy episodic drinking (HED). Depressive symptoms were assessed with the 10-item Hopkins Symptom Checklist, and SES was measured as education level and employment status. To observe the association between depressive symptoms and alcohol use at each level of SES we fitted multinomial logistic regression models using each alcohol outcome as a dependent variable stratified by level of education and employment. To observe differences across levels of SES, we examined the interaction between depressive symptoms and SES level in multinomial logistic regression models for each alcohol measures.Results: Having depressive symptoms was significantly associated with an increased risk of 5+ typical drinks among people in the lowest (RRR = 1.60, p ≤ 0.05) education level, and not among people in the highest. Conversely, significant associations were observed among all levels of employment. For frequency of HED, depressive symptoms was not significantly associated with frequency of HED at any education level. Depressive symptoms was associated with 13+ past year HED episodes among people with no employment (RRR = 1.97, p ≤ 0.05), and part-time employment (RRR = 2.33, p ≤ 0.01), and no association was observed among people with full-time employment. A significant interaction was observed for depressive symptoms and employment for risk of 13+ past-year HED episodes.Conclusions: The results show a variety of associations between depressive symptoms and alcohol use among people with lower SES, and suggest type of alcohol use and SES measure may influence the observation of an association between depressive symptoms and alcohol use at different SES levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The co-occurrence of alcohol use and smoking during pregnancy has been shown to have a negative synergistic effect on fetal and perinatal risks. The objectives were to: 1) obtain an estimate of the prevalence of smoking during pregnancy in Canada by province and territory from 2003 to 2011/12; 2) determine if the prevalence of smoking during pregnancy has increased or decreased over time; 3) investigate whether smoking status is differentially associated with alcohol use during pregnancy; and 4) examine the risk factors predictive of alcohol use only, smoking only, and the co-occurrence of alcohol use and smoking during pregnancy. Methods Secondary data analysis was conducted using five cycles of the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS; 2003, 2005, 2007/08, 2009/10 and 2011/12). The prevalence of smoking during pregnancy, and 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated by province and territory and by year. The likelihood ratio test was used to determine if the prevalence of smoking during pregnancy has increased or decreased over time. The relationship between smoking status and alcohol use during pregnancy was explored using a quasi-Poisson regression model. A multinomial logistic regression model was utilized to determine which factors were predictive of alcohol use only, smoking only, and the co-occurrence of alcohol use and smoking during pregnancy. Results In Canada, between 2003 and 2011/12, the weighted pooled prevalence of smoking during pregnancy was 14.3% (95% CI: 13.6%–15.0%). Women who smoked daily during pregnancy, occasionally during pregnancy, or had a lifetime history of smoking (but did not smoke while pregnant) were 2.54 (95% CI: 2.11–3.06, P < 0.0001), 2.71 (95% CI: 2.25–3.27, P < 0.0001), and 2.09 (95% CI: 1.85–2.37, P < 0.0001), respectively, times more likely to have consumed alcohol during pregnancy, compared to pregnant women who were lifetime non-smokers when controlling for age, household income, ethnicity and CCHS cycle. Risk factors that predicted alcohol use only, smoking only, and the co-occurrence of alcohol use and smoking during pregnancy differed. Conclusion It is apparent that smoking in any capacity, whether during pregnancy or not, increases the likelihood that a woman consumed alcohol while pregnant. Ascertaining smoking status among pregnant women and women of childbearing age could be a useful screening method for identifying those at-risk of consuming alcohol during pregnancy, and vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: This study examined the association of physical activity and sedentarism with tobacco and alcohol consumption, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet in teenagers of both genders. Methods: A total number of 1897 Spanish teenagers (12-16 year-olds) took part in the present cross-sectional study. The variables were measured by means of questionnaires previously validated for these ages. Results: Physical activity was positively associated to the degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet for both genders (β = .144, P < .001 for boys and β = .066, P < .05 for girls), and inversely associated to smoking for boys (β = -.135, P = < .001). Sedentary behaviors for leisure purposes (TV and PC) were negatively associated to adherence to the Mediterranean diet for both boys (β = -.100 and β = -.104, both P < .05, respectively) and girls (β = -.148 and β = -.141, both P < .001), and positively associated to alcohol consumption for girls (β = .114, P < .01 and β = .199, P < .001, respectively). Conclusion: results suggest that physical activity and sedentary behaviors have an important relationship with the adherence to the Mediterranean diet in teenagers. Also, higher levels of physical activity in boys can lead to reduced tobacco use, while watching TV and PC leisure can lead to increased alcohol consumption in girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alcohol use by female sex workers (FSWs), sexual encounters with drunken clients increase risk of unsafe sex. As part of Ph.D study, knowledge, attitudes towards condom use and barriers such as proportion of FSWs drinking alcohol, drunken clients entertained and their association with consistent condom use behavior was analyzed in FSWs of red light area of Pune city. Method: Mixed methods were used. 80 FSWs were selected by 2 stage cluster sampling method, followed by purposive selection 20 FSWs for in depth interviews. Results: (55%) of FSWs were alcohol drinkers, of which (88.63%) were daily drinkers and (47.5%) FSWs entertained drunken clients. There was significant association between percentage of FSWs drinking alcohol and consistent condom use behavior (p<0.036). Conclusion: lcohol use in FSWs is a barrier in adopting safe sex behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The literature exploring commonalities between four-year and community college student alcohol use is relatively scarce. A possible reason for this discrepancy is the heavy focus on alcohol issues at [...]

ABSTRACT The current study tested the effectiveness of delivering personalized feedback to first-semester college freshmen in a group lecture format. Participants enrolled in semester-long courses were randomly assigned to receive [...]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and correlates of alcohol-related problems across four Hispanic national groups: Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans, and South/Central Americans. Method: Using a multistage cluster sample design, 5,224 individuals ages 18 years and older were selected from the household population of five U.S. metropolitan areas: Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Houston, and Los Angeles. Results: Cuban Americans had the lowest prevalence of alcohol-related problems. Significant differences across national group for zero versus two or more problems and for one versus two or more problems existed among men. Puerto Rican women were most likely to report two or more problems. The presence of zero versus two or more problems varied significantly across groups. There was variation in problem type across national groups among both men and women. Regression analyses showed that all groups were more likely than Cuban Americans to report two or more problems (vs zero) (Puerto Ricans: odds ratio [OR] = 2.02, p < .05; Mexican Americans: OR 2.92, p [less than or equal to] .01; South/Central Americans: OR = 2.12, p [less than or equal to] .01). Being U.S. born (vs foreign born) increased the likelihood of experiencing one (OR = 1.57, p < .05) and two or more problems (OR = 1.95, p [less than or equal to] .01). The volume of consumption was associated with problems (one problem: OR 1.16, p [less than or equal to] .01; two or more problems: OR = 1.31, p [less than or equal to] .01). Heavy episodic drinking less than once a month was associated with two or more problems (OR = 6.15, p [less than or equal to] .01). Heavy episodic drinking one or more times a month was associated with one problem (OR = 1.74, p [less than or equal to] .01) and two or more problems (OR = 3.18, p [less than or equal to] .01). Conclusions: It is important to recognize that Hispanics are not a homogenous group. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs 70: 991-999, 2009), STUDIES OF DRINKING-RELATED PROBLEMS in the general population have shown that the prevalence of problems is, in general, lower among Hispanics than non-Hispanics for both men and women (Caetano, 1997; [...]

Objective: We examined the relationship of childhood exposure to adversity and risk of substance-use disorder in two culturally distinct American Indian reservation communities, exploring both the role of early initiation of substance use in mediating this relationship and variation in risk across types of adversity exposure. Method: The American Indian Service Utilization, Psychiatric Epidemiology, Risk and Protective Factors Project provided data from 2,927 American Indians on the occurrence and age at onset of adversities, substance use, and substance-use-disorder symptoms. Results: The risk of substance-use disorder associated with early adversity was explained partially by early initiation of substance use. Three types of adversity (major childhood events, traumas, and witnessed violence) were associated with early onset of substance use and increased risk of substance-use disorder. Gender and tribe were also related to variation in both early substance use and substance-use disorder. Conclusions: Early exposure to adverse events was associated with early substance use and the subsequent development of substance-use disorders among American Indians. Public health initiatives targeting substance use and substance-use disorders in American Indian communities should include efforts to help children in these communities cope with adversities they encounter., PROBLEMATIC SUBSTANCE USE is widespread in many American Indian communities, and disparities in rates of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)--defined substance-use disorders (SUDs) are well documented (Beals [...]

Objective: The present study extends the literature on Factors involved in college students' drinking tendencies by examining differences between men and women in their ability to accurately estimate personal intoxication. The study also assessed whether men and women who typically consume large quantities of alcohol when they attend parties have more difficulty accurately assessing intoxication compared with lighter drinkers. Method: The research used the external cueing approach (ECA) of Turrisi and colleagues as the informational paradigm to examine 3.707 college students' gender, typical drinking at parties, and how they relate to perceptions of intoxication. Results: The study revealed that approximately 20% (n = 710) of participants underestimated their blood alcohol concentration using the ECA. Among participants who made underestimation errors, gender differences were observed in that women made significantly more underestimation errors in the scenarios that contained four to five drinks and men made more underestimation errors in the scenarios that contained six to seven drinks. In addition, a three-way interaction revealed that female students who reported typically drinking larger amounts of alcohol in party settings were more likely to make errors when estimating their intoxication for moderately high numbers of drinks (e.g., four to five drinks). Conclusions: The results are discussed in terms of examining the importance of college student drinking, gender, typical alcohol consumption at a party, and estimation of intoxication. Implications of gender effects in relation to high-risk drinking activities (i.e., pregaming and drinking games) as well as prevention efforts are discussed. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs 70: 964-970, 2009), COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE AT A HEIGHTENED risk for heavy episodic drinking and experiencing consequences related to drinking (Abbey et al., 1998; National Institute on Alcohol and Alcoholism, 2007; O'Malley and [...]

ABSTRACT. Objective: We hypothesized that etiologically relevant parental, peer, and demographic variables would predict both the transition into alcohol use and consequences and the increase in intensity of these outcomes [...]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze whether general hospital inpatients with at-risk and heavy episodic drinking (ARHE) have a higher motivation to change drinking habits and a higher risk of developing alcohol dependence than individuals with atrisk drinking only (AR) or heavy episodic drinking only (HE). Method: A proactively recruited sample of 425 male general hospital inpatients with AR, HE, or ARHE was used. Men with current alcohol dependence or abuse were excluded. Participants were followed up 12 months later. Results: At baseline, multinomial regressions revealed that individuals with ARHE had higher odds of taking action to change drinking habits than individuals with HE (odds ratio [OR] = 2.29, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21-4.34) or AR (OR = 2.11, CI: 1.15-3.86). At follow-up, individuals with ARHE had higher odds of having alcohol dependence, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (OR = 4.73, CI: 1.01-22.20), compared with individuals with AR. Conclusions: Inpatients with ARHE indicated greater readiness to change drinking habits than those with AR or HE, and they had higher odds for short-term development of alcohol dependence than those with AR. Brief alcohol intervention should include risk-specific information based on the risky drinking pattern., TWO RISKY DRINKING PATTERNS have become particularly well known: (1) at-risk drinking and (2) heavy episodic drinking. According to the British Medical Association (1995), at-risk drinking is characterized by a [...]

Objective: College students who study abroad may represent a subgroup at risk for increased drinking while living in foreign countries. The present study explores this idea as well as the extent to which students' pre-abroad perceptions of study-abroad student drinking are related to actual drinking while abroad. Method: Ninety-one students planning to study abroad completed an online survey of demographics, pre-abroad drinking behavior, perceptions of study-abroad student drinking behavior while abroad, and intentions to drink while abroad. Halfway into their study-abroad experience, participants completed a follow-up survey assessing drinking while abroad. Results: Pre-abroad intentions of drinking and pre-abroad perceptions of study-abroad drinking were associated with actual drinking while abroad. However, perceptions predicted actual drinking while abroad over and above intended drinking. In addition, although participants overall did not significantly increase their drinking while studying abroad, participants with higher pre-abroad perceived norms significantly increased their own drinking behavior while abroad. Conclusions: As in other samples of college students, perceived norms appear to be an important correlate of study-abroad student drinking behavior. Findings suggest that perceptions of study-abroad student-specific drinking predicted not only actual drinking while abroad but also increases in drinking from pre-abroad levels. Findings provide preliminary support for the idea that presenting prospective study-abroad students with accurate norms of study-abroad student-drinking behavior may help prevent increased or heavy drinking during this period., HEAVY DRINKING AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS remains a national concern that can lead to a multitude of alcohol-related consequences for individuals and the surrounding campus community (Hingson et al., 2005; Wechsler [...]

Objective: Notwithstanding well-established links between alcohol use and adverse alcohol-related consequences, evidence suggests that alcohol use among university students may also be associated with positive outcomes, including components of subjective well-being, which comprises life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect. Further, because alcohol use and consequences are separable factors, both need to be examined simultaneously to gauge the unique predictive role of alcohol use. We report findings from a longitudinal study of university students that addresses these important issues. Method: At the end of their first term at university (Time 1), 627 students (15% of all first-year students) completed a paper-and-pencil questionnaire in small group settings. Near the end of their third year (Time 2), 467 of the Time 1 respondents (75% follow-up rate) completed a subsequent survey on-line. The average (SD) longitudinal respondent was 18.83 (0.86) years old at Time 1, and 360 participants were female. Results: In cross-sectional and longitudinal structural equation models, adverse alcohol-related consequences predicted lower subjective well-being (lower life satisfaction, less frequent positive affect, more frequent negative affect). Independent of this effect, greater alcohol use (greater quantity/frequency, more frequent intoxication, heavy episodic drinking) predicted higher subjective well-being, both concurrently and prospectively. Conclusions: Among these university students, alcohol use was uniquely associated with a more positive sense of well-being. A more comprehensive understanding of the significance of alcohol use among university students requires attending to positive and negative outcomes associated with alcohol use and examining alcohol use and consequences as related but separable factors., UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ENGAGE IN various forms of risky drinking--including frequent an d heavy use, intoxication, and heavy episodic drinking--more frequently than others in their age group who are not a [...]

Objective: The misuse and abuse of alcohol among college students remain persistent problems. Using a systems approach to understand the dynamics of student drinking behavior and thus forecasting the impact of campus policy to address the problem represents a novel approach. Toward this end, the successful development of a predictive mathematical model of college drinking would represent a significant advance for prevention efforts. Method: A deterministic, compartmental model of college drinking was developed, incorporating three processes: (1) individual factors, (2) social interactions, and (3) social norms. The model quantifies these processes in terms of the movement of students between drinking compartments characterized by five styles of college drinking: abstainers, light drinkers, moderate drinkers, problem drinkers, and heavy episodic drinkers. Predictions from the model were first compared with actual campus-level data and then used to predict the effects of several simulated interventions to address heavy episodic drinking. Results: First, the model provides a reasonable fit of actual drinking styles of students attending Social Norms Marketing Research Project campuses varying by 'wetness' and by drinking styles of matriculating students. Second, the model predicts that a combination of simulated interventions targeting heavy episodic drinkers at a moderately 'dry' campus would extinguish heavy episodic drinkers, replacing them with light and moderate drinkers. Instituting the same combination of simulated interventions at a moderately 'wet' campus would result in only a moderate reduction in heavy episodic drinkers (i.e., 50% to 35%). Conclusions: A simple, five-state compartmental model adequately predicted the actual drinking patterns of students from a variety of campuses surveyed in the Social Norms Marketing Research Project study. The model predicted the impact on drinking patterns of several simulated interventions to address heavy episodic drinking on various types of campuses., COLLEGE DRINKING IS RECOGNIZED as a major problem at institutions of higher learning across the United States (Task Force of the National Advisory Council on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2002). [...]

Objective: This article examines relationships between reproductive onset and lifetime history of smoking, regular smoking, and nicotine dependence, and cannabis and other illicit drug use. Method: Data were drawn from a young adult cohort of 3,386 female and 2,75 l male Australian twins born between 1964 and 1971. Survival analyses were conducted using Cox proportional hazards regression models predicting age at first childbirth from history of substance use or disorder separately by substance class. Other substance use or disorder, including alcohol dependence, as well as sociodemographic characteristics, history of psychopathology, and family and childhood risks, were included as control variables in adjusted models. Results: Regular smoking and nicotine dependence were associated with earlier reproduction, with pronounced effects for women. For women, use of cannabis was associated with early reproduction before age 20, and with delayed reproduction among women who have not reproduced by age 20 or 25. Adjustment for control variables only partially explained these associations. Conclusions: Consistent with research linking adolescent use with sexual risk taking predictive of early childbearing, regular smokers and nicotine-dependent individuals show earlier reproductive onset. In contrast, delays in childbearing associated with use of cannabis are consistent with impairments in reproductive ability and/or opportunities for reproduction. Continued research on risks both upstream and downstream of substance-use initiation and onset of substance-use disorder is needed for causal mechanisms to be fully understood., DURING ADOLESCENCE, drinking, smoking, and use of illicit drugs are associated with risky sexual behaviors strongly predictive of teenage childbearing (for a review, see National Center on Addiction and Substance [...]

Objective: Findings from previous prospective research suggest the association between alcohol use and undergraduate academic performance is negligible. This study was designed to address weaknesses of the past research by relying on objective measures of both drinking and academic performance. Method: A prospective study was conducted with repeated measures of exposure to alcohol linked to institutional academic records. Alcohol data were collected in residence halls at a nonselective, midwestern, public university in the United States. A total of 659 first- and second-year undergraduate students were tracked over the course of 15-week semesters. Results: A statistically significant negative association with semester academic performance was found for different alcohol indicators: frequency of breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) above .08, mean BrAC, standard deviation, and maximum BrAC recorded. These associations remained statistically significant when controlled for sociodemographic variables and individual level confounders, but the effect sizes were relatively small with a contribution to explained variance of less than 1%. When additionally adjusted for residence hall building, all alcohol indicators no longer reached statistical significance (p ≥ .05). Conclusions: Consistent with past prospective research, the magnitude of the association between undergraduate alcohol use and academic performance is small when the effects of high school academic aptitude and performance are accounted for in multivariable analyses. This is the first study to find that living environment may have a robust effect on the academic achievement of undergraduates. Future research should examine more closely the relation between residence and academic performance and the role that alcohol use may play in creating residential environments., PUBLIC DEMANDS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY in higher education have pressured colleges and universities to assume more responsibility for creating social environments that support a strong academic ethic and are conducive to [...]

Objective: This study used a two-group randomized design to assess the validity of measuring self-reported alcohol consumption among college students using the Handheld Assisted Network Diary (HAND), a daily diary assessment administered using wireless mobile devices. Method: A convenience sample of college students was recruited at a large, public university in the southeastern United States and randomized into two groups. A randomly assigned group of 86 students completed the daily HAND assessment during the 30-day study and a Timeline Followback (TLFB) at 30-day follow-up. A randomly assigned group of 82 students completed the paper-and-pencil Daily Social Diary (DSD) over the same study period. Data from the daily HAND assessment were compared with the TLFB completed at follow-up by participants who completed the HAND using 95% limits of agreement analysis. Furthermore, individual growth models were used to examine differences between the HAND and DSD by comparing the total drinks, drinking days, and drinks per drinking day captured by the two assessments over the study period. Results: Results suggest that the HAND captured similar levels of alcohol use compared with the TLFB completed at follow-up by the same participants. In addition, comparisons of the two study groups suggest that, controlling for baseline alcohol use and demographics, the HAND assessment captured similar levels of total drinks, drinking days, and drinks per drinking day as the paper-and-pencil DSD. Conclusions: The study findings support the validity of wireless mobile devices as a daily assessment of alcohol use among college students., HEAVY ALCOHOL USE among college students is a public health problem in the United States (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2004; Wechsler et al., 2000). Despite significant advances [...]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine drinking levels, related harms, and secondhand effects of alcohol use at heavy drinking colleges between 1993 and 2005 at colleges with high levels of drinking in 1993. Method: Students attending 18 colleges with high levels of heavy episodic drinking (50% of students or more) from the 1993 Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study were surveyed in 2005 (n = 4,518). Data collected through mailed and Web-based questionnaires were compared with responses from students at the same schools in 1993, 1997, 1999, and 2001 (N = 13,254) using time trend analyses. Results: Overall, levels of alcohol consumption, experience of problems, and levels of secondhand effects remained high among students attending heavy drinking colleges. More than four of five students at these schools drank alcohol (range: 85%-88%), and more than half engaged in heavy episodic drinking (range: 53%-58%). The stability of drinking behavior occurred among subgroups of students as well. The few statistically significant changes occurred mainly between 1993 and 1997. A decline in driving after any drinking between 1997 and 2005 was observed, but no similar decline was found in two other measures of drinking and driving. Conclusions: Heavy drinking and associated problems continue unabated, with few exceptions, at colleges that are most in need of intervention: those with high levels of heavy episodic drinking. Addressing student alcohol use at heavy drinking colleges may require stronger, more consistent, and more comprehensive approaches, with increased emphasis on the alcohol environment., HEAVY ALCOHOL USE IS A MAJOR public health problem among college students. Two in five students attending 4-year colleges in the United States engage in heavy episodic drinking (O'Malley and [...]

Objective: Heavy episodic drinking in college is an issue of major concern in our society. In the college setting, where alcohol misuse is prevalent, alcohol-related perceptions and automatic attentional biases may be important determinants in students' decisions to engage in risking drinking behaviors. The current study examined college students' attention to alcohol-related beverages in real time using ocular-imaging techniques. The authors hypothesized that alcohol-consumption characteristics such as quantity-frequency of alcohol consumption would predict ocular-imaging indices of attentional bias to alcohol-related images. Method: Twenty-six college students successfully completed questionnaires assessing basic demographics and alcohol-consumption characteristics, followed by an eye-tracking task in which they viewed pictorial stimuli consisting of photographs of alcohol-related scenes, household objects, or a combination of these items. Results: Quantity frequency index (QFI) of alcohol consumption was positively related to the percentage of initial ocular fixations on the alcohol-related items (r = .62, p = .001), whereas QFI negatively predicted the percentage of initial ocular fixations on the control images (r = -.60, p = .002). In addition, QFI positively predicted participants' dwell time on alcohol-related images (r = .57, p = .005), and negatively predicted dwell time on control images (r = -.41,p = .05). Age at first drink and days since last alcohol consumption were not related to eye-tracking metrics. Conclusions: Ocular-imaging methods are a valuable tool for use in the study of attentional bias to alcohol-related images in college drinkers. Further research is needed to determine the potential application of these methods to the prevention and treatment of alcohol misuse on college campuses., HEAVY EPISODIC DRINKING IN COLLEGE is a major concern in our society. A recent review of the drinking assessment literature (Devos-Comby and Lange, 2008) reports that at least 40%-45% of [...]

Objective: Many surveys employed to study college drinking ask whether students have had a five-drink (for men) or four-drink (for women) episode in one sitting at least once during the previous 2 weeks to indicate risky or heavy episodic drinking. However, some researchers have questioned the predictive validity of the 5/4 measure. This study tested whether such students attained extremely high blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) during the previous 30 days. Method: Freshmen students were recruited by presentation of short screening surveys in the classroom or outside the student stores. Students who reported a risky drinking episode were invited to enroll in the study and were given a lengthy survey battery that included a computerized 30-day Timeline Followback recall of their drinking. The amount of alcohol consumed was used along with each subject's gender and weight to calculate an estimated BAC (eBAC) for each event and the maximum eBAC taken for this report. Results: Fifty-five percent of the 953 students who completed the screening survey met criterion for enrollment, and 381 students entered the study. The average peak calculated eBAC was 233 mg/dl. Only 9.2% of subjects did not have an eBAC value at or above the threshold for a driving while intoxicated offense, 80 mg/dl. Conclusions: Students who report one recent risky drinking episode are very likely to have had at least one heavy drinking episode that generated a BAC in excess of the threshold for driving while intoxicated. Many report extremely high consumption levels. The 5/4 screening question is highly predictive of abusive drinking and can be used to identify students at severe risk for adverse events related to the consumption of alcohol., THE IMPACT OF EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION of alcohol by college students has received increasing attention over the last 10 years. Concerns include the number of deaths attributable to alcohol poisoning or [...]

Objective: The current study is a multisite randomized alcohol prevention trial to evaluate the efficacy of both a parenting handbook intervention and the Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) intervention, alone and in combination, in reducing alcohol use and consequences among a high-risk population of matriculating college students (i.e., former high school athletes). Method: Students (n = 1,275) completed a series of Web-administered measures at baseline (in the summer before starting college) and follow-up (after 10 months). Students were randomized to one of four conditions: parent intervention only, BASICS only, combined (parent and BASICS), and assessment-only control. Intervention efficacy was tested on a number of outcome measures, including peak blood alcohol concentration, weekly and weekend drinking, and negative consequences. Hypothesized mediators and moderators of intervention effect were tested. Results: The overall results revealed that the combined-intervention group had significantly lower alcohol consumption, high-risk drinking, and consequences at 10-month follow-up, compared with the control group, with changes in descriptive and injunctive peer norms mediating intervention effects. Conclusions: The findings of the present study suggest that the parent intervention delivered to students before they begin college serves to enhance the efficacy of the BASICS intervention, potentially priming students to respond to the subsequent BASICS session., THE HIGHEST PROPORTION OF INDIVIDUALS with diagnosable alcohol disorders, heavy drinking, and multiple substance dependencies are in the age range from 18 to 29 years. This age range encompasses more [...]

Objective: The study examined the impact of precollege drinking intentions on college heavy episodic drinking (HED) in a sample of women making the transition from high school to college. We hypothesized that the effects of drinking intentions on college first and second semester HED would be mediated by first semester social norms and drinking pressure. Method: High school seniors (n = 416) recruited from the community were assessed at the time of high school graduation and at the end of the first and second semesters of college. Results: The hypothesized model was supported. After controlling for high school HED, precollege drinking intentions predicted first semester descriptive and injunctive social norms and social pressure to drink. Social influence variables were associated with higher frequency HED in the first semester, which in turn predicted higher frequency HED in the second semester. Conclusions: Results suggest that precollege drinking intentions, independent of high school HED, may influence selection of college social environments and play a significant role in actual college HED. Assessment and targeting of these intentions may aid in prevention of college HED., HEAVY EPISODIC DRINKING (HED) is recognized as a prevalent and significant problem among college students (Knight et al., 2002; Wechsler et al., 1998). HED, typically defined as consuming four or [...]

Objective: This study examined alcohol drinking behaviors across ethnic subgroups of Asian college students by gender. foreign-born status, and college-related living arrangements. Method: Univariate and ordinal logistic regression analyses were employed to explore male and female Asian subgroup differences in alcohol drinking behaviors. The sample included 753 male and female undergraduates between the ages of 18 and 27 years who self-identified as Chinese, Filipino, Korean, or Vietnamese and who varied in their foreign-born status. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire on their alcohol drinking practices. Results: Ordinal regression analysis assessed risks for increased consumption and found that Korean and Filipino students reported higher levels of alcohol consumption compared with other Asian subgroups. Students living in on-campus dormitories and in off-campus apartments reported higher alcohol consumption than did those living at home. Being born in the United States was a significant predictor of higher levels of alcohol consumption for women but not for men. Conclusions: Results of this study indicate the need for campus alcohol education and prevention programs capable of responding to specific Asian subgroup needs., ACCORDING TO THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU, between the years 2000 and 2010, the percentage of Asians in the United States is projected to increase by 33%, or from 3.8% to [...]

Objective: Studies of alcohol brief intervention for medical inpatients have mixed results. We explored potential moderators of the effectiveness of brief intervention for unhealthy alcohol use among medical inpatients. Method: This is a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of brief motivational counseling among 341 urban-hospital medical inpatients (99 women) with unhealthy alcohol use. Self-reported main outcomes were receipt of alcohol treatment by 3 months in subjects with dependence and change in the mean number of drinks per day 3 and 12 months after enrollment in all subjects. Results: Among subjects with dependence, the effect of brief intervention on receipt of alcohol treatment differed significantly by gender and age (p = .02 for each interaction). In stratified analyses, brief intervention was associated with receipt of alcohol treatment in women (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-12.7), and younger (, PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS RECOMMEND screening and brief intervention for all adults with unhealthy alcohol use (i.e., the spectrum from drinking risky amounts through dependence; Institute of Medicine, 1990; U.S. Preventive Services [...]