Alcohol Drinking Among the Students of the University of Maribor, Slovenia

Students in Danger: Binge Drinking Behaviour and Associated Factors in Hungary

Introduction

Among young adults, high rates of binge drinking were observed in certain European countries. Binge drinking is associated with several health problems (unplanned pregnancy, HIV infections, problems with memory, and injuries). The aim of this questionnaire-based study was to measure the frequency of binge drinking and its association with sociodemographic, familial, lifestyle factors and school performance among secondary and university students (n=2449) in Csongrád County, Hungary.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study the students’ sociodemographic data, parents’ educational and economic level, and students’ academic performance and self-reported use of tobacco, drugs, and alcohol were collected by a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were applied using SPSS 24.0 software.

Results

Altogether 2449 Hungarian secondary school students and university students participated in the study. Nearly one-third of the students were classified as binge drinkers, significantly more male university students. Tobacco or illicit drug use resulted in higher odds of being a binge drinker in both subgroups. Poor school performance and binge drinking were significantly correlated especially among secondary school students.

Conclusions

Targeting alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use together, including education, parent interventions, and public health policies, are crucial in the prevention of possible serious consequences.

An Examination of Retailers' Compliance with the Minimum Legal Drinking (purchasing) Age Law in Slovenia: A Quasi-experimental Intervention Study

Introduction

Alcohol consumption among young people is strongly related to alcohol availability. The minimum legal drinking (purchasing) age (MLDA) is a legal measure that regulates alcohol availability to minors in Slovenia. This study examines (1) retailers’ compliance with the MLDA law in Slovenia and (2) the effectiveness of two interventions directed at cashiers in off-premise stores.

Methods

The study uses a non-randomized quasi-experimental design to evaluate the effectiveness of (1) a communication intervention directed at off-premise store managers, and (2) an intervention by the Slovene Market Inspectorate. The first intervention focused on informing cashiers about MLDA’s importance and their role as gatekeepers of young people’s health, while the second involved law enforcement. Using the mystery shopping protocol, we conducted two waves of purchase attempts with decoy underage shoppers pre- and post-intervention in 97 off-premise stores. We collected data on the shopping process at the point of sale and conducted 40 semistructured interviews with cashiers to evaluate the barriers and incentives regarding MLDA compliance.

Results

Retailers’ initial noncompliance rate with MLDA in off-premise stores was high, but improved significantly after the law enforcement intervention. We identified a significant correlation between the cashiers’ ID requests and the refusal of alcohol sales, but cashiers’ ID requests remained low. Qualitative findings reveal that cashiers experience several issues when handling MLDA in practice.

Conclusion

Noncompliance with MLDA persisted even after the law enforcement intervention, revealing the need for policy makers to introduce new strategies for MLDA enforcement, such as revocable alcohol licenses for off-premise stores.

Factors associated with greater potential for alcohol misuse among the students of the Gorenjska region

Introduction: Excessive alcohol consumption can stem from different biological, social, environmental, or psychological factors (e.g. peer influence, desire to be accepted within a social group, family history with alcohol addiction, availability of alcohol beverages, poor academic performance, low self-image, etc.). The aim of study was to determine the risk factors associated with alcohol consumption among the undergraduate students in the Gorenjska region. Methods: A quantitative non-experimental method of research was employed. The data were collected through a structured questionnaire. The purposive sample consisted of 328 first-year undergraduate students in the Gorenjska region. The research was conducted in May, October and November 2012. The data obtained were analysed using the descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The greatest influence on drinking frequency for better sociability and relaxation has the average educational attainment in the last year of secondary education (β = 0.168, p = 0.002). The following factors were identified to have a statistically significant impact on the frequency of alcohol consumption during leisure time: friendship (β = 0.131, p = 0.029), frequent socializing with friends (β = 0.127, p = 0.035), support of the family when in distress (β = - 0. 183, p = 0.001) and the average academic achievement in the last year of secondary education (β = 0.098, p = 0.043). Discussion and conclusion: The risk factors associated with alcohol consumption among the students in the Gorenjska region are mainly social (lack of family support, peer pressure) and personal (low self-image, poor academic achievement and leisure time). Characteristics of the study participants in relation to alcohol consumption do not differ from the rest of the younger population.

Uživanje alkohola med študenti zdravstvene nege

Uvod: Pitje alkoholnih pijač je med mladostniki v Sloveniji in tudi drugod po svetu zelo velik problem. Največ mladih pije alkoholne pijače predvsem v obdobju adolescence. Namen raziskave je bil predstaviti uživanje alkohola med študenti zdravstvene nege, ki je tudi sicer vse pogostejši problem v sodobnem načinu življenja. Metode: Anketiranje je potekalo v prvi polovici leta 2015 med študenti rednega študija zdravstvene nege 1. stopnje. V raziskavi je sodelovalo 217 študentov. Uporabljeno je bilo priložnostno vzorčenje. Uporabili smo osnovno deskriptivno statistiko in kvantitativno raziskovalno metodologijo s pomočjo strukturiranega vprašalnika. Rezultati: Med anketiranimi se je v izbiri najpogostejših alkoholnih pijač pokazala statistično pomembna razlika (p = 0,000) glede na spol, saj moški posegajo bolj po pivu, ženske bolj po žganih pijačah. Prav tako je razlika po spolu prisotna v opitosti, saj so bili moški v zadnjih 30 dneh pred anketiranjem statistično značilno bolj pogosto opiti kot ženske (p = 0,000). Diskusija in zaključek: Iz rezultatov raziskave je razvidno, da več kot polovica anketiranih študentov zdravstvene nege tvegano pije alkoholne pijače. Raziskava nakazuje, da bolj tvegano pijejo študenti moškega spola. Pridobljeni podatki nakazujejo potrebo po obsežnejši raziskavi o uživanju alkohola med slovenskimi študenti.