High prevalence, presistent hazardous drinking in New Zealand tertiary students

Aim: to determine the prevalence of hazardous drinking and alcohol related negative consequences in New Zealand tertiary students, and to identify predictors of hazardous drinking across a six month period. Method: 1,480 tertiary students living in halls of residence were surveyed at the start of the academic year, and a sub-sample of 967 students were followed up six months later. Questionnaire items included quantity and frequency of drinking, alcohol-related problems, use of other substances, and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Drinking at follow-up was modelled using demographic characteristics, mental well-being, other substance use, alcohol-related problems, and hall drinking norms, measured at baseline. Results: Among drinkers, mean weekly consumption was 243g (SD=241g) and 135g (SD=157g) of ethanol for males and females respectively. The majority of male (60.0%) and female (58.2%) drinkers typically consumed more than national safe drinking guidelines. Mean AUDIT scores were 10.9 (SD=7.6) for males and 7.6 (SD=5.9) for females. After controlling for AUDIT scores at baseline, increased AUDIT scores at follow-were higher with lower age, Maori ethnicity, smoking, cannabis use, high levels of alcohol related negative consequences, and higher levels of drinking in the student’s hall of residence. Conclusions: Hazardous drinking is widespread and persistent among students living in the halls of residence. There is a need for university alcohol policies and intervention approaches among New Zealand tertiary students.