Breath alcohol concentration, hazardous drinking and preloading among Swedish university students. Issue 5 (October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Elgàn, Tobias H; Durbeej, Natalie; Gripenberg, Johanna
• Is Part Of: Nordisk alkohol- & narkotikatidskrift. Volume 36:Issue 5(2019)
• Page Start: 430
• Page End: 441
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Subjects: AUDIT-C -- blood alcohol concentration (BAC) -- breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) -- college -- prevention -- risky drinking; Alcoholism -- Scandinavia -- Periodicals; Drug abuse -- Scandinavia -- Periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1177/1455072519863545
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1455-0725

Abstract

Background: Approximately half of all young adults in Sweden are university students, and alcohol consumption is often a central part of students' social lives. Heavy drinking is associated with negative consequences, such as poor study skills, sexual risk-taking, violence and accidents. The aim of the present study is to assess the levels of alcohol intoxication as well as hazardous alcohol use among students at Swedish universities. Methods: In an alcohol field study, students (≥18 years old) were randomly selected and invited to participate. The settings were eight different parties at four universities in Sweden. Alcohol intoxication was measured using a breath analyser for breath alcohol concentration (BrAC). Demographic data (i.e., sex, age, number of years at the university) and responses to the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) were gathered through face-to-face interviews for the assessment of hazardous alcohol use. Results: In total, 723 students were invited to participate, 605 of whom consented (84% response rate). The mean age of the respondents was 22.2 years, and the proportion of women was 37%. A majority of the respondents (91%) reported drinking before arriving at the parties. Among those who had consumed alcohol before arriving, the average BrAC was 0.086%, and 36% had BrACs of 0.100% or more. The proportion of students reporting hazardous use was 86% for women and 87% for men. Conclusions: This study provides the actual levels of intoxication among university students in four different cities. Alcohol intoxication and hazardous use among Swedish university students is a concern, and the university setting is an important arena for implementation of alcohol prevention strategies.