The role of drinking locations in university student drinking: Findings from a national web-based survey

Kypri, Kypros; Paschall, Mallie J.; Langley, John D.; Baxter, Joanne; Bourdeau, Beth

doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.03.018

« Previous Next »Drug and Alcohol Dependence
Volume 111, Issue 1 , Pages 38-43, 1 September 2010

The role of drinking locations in university student drinking: Findings from a national web-based survey

Kypros Kypri
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- Injury Prevention Research Unit, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin 9001, New Zealand
- Corresponding author at: School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Tel.: +61 2 4913 8231; fax: +61 2 4913 8148.
Mallie J. Paschall
- Prevention Research Center, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA
John D. Langley
- Injury Prevention Research Unit, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin 9001, New Zealand
Joanne Baxter
- Ngai Tahu Māori Health Research Centre, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine University of Otago, Dunedin 9001, New Zealand
Beth Bourdeau
- Prevention Research Center, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA

Received 30 July 2009; received in revised form 8 February 2010; accepted 12 March 2010.

Abstract

Background

The study examined associations between type of drinking location and alcohol use in a national sample of New Zealand university students.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional web-based survey with random sampling of 17- to 24-year-old undergraduates from six university campuses in 2005. There were 2548 respondents (response fraction: 63%). Measures included the number of standard drinks (10g ethanol) consumed on each day of the preceding week in pubs/bars/nightclubs, student flats/houses, residential halls, and ‘other’ locations (e.g., restaurants). We used multilevel regression to test for associations between type of drinking location and consumption per episode, adjusting for student- and episode-level covariates.

Results

Respondents consumed an average of 7.1 drinks (SD 5.2) per drinking day, including 5.4 drinks (SD 4.5) in pubs/bars/nightclubs, flats/houses, and residential halls, and 3.7 drinks (SD 3.4) in other locations. Overall, men drank more per location (mean 8.4, SD 6.3) than did women (mean 6.2, SD 4.0). Multilevel analyses revealed positive associations between the first three location types and drinks per episode relative to other locations when adjusting for student- and episode-level covariates including duration of episode.

Conclusions

Certain drinking locations (i.e., pubs, residential halls, off-campus houses) appear to promote or facilitate heavy alcohol consumption among students. Better enforcement of laws prohibiting service to intoxication should be prioritized to reduce alcohol-related harm among university students. Consideration should be given to strengthening alcohol policies in residential halls and methods for managing heavy drinking in private residences.

Keywords: Alcohol, Youth, Students, Epidemiology, Context, University, Binge drinking