Analysis of Demographic Characteristics and Drinking Habits at a Southern College Provide Critical Information for Developing an Effective Prevention Program

Importance: To examine the associations of basic demographics (age, race, and gender identity) on alcohol consumption among college students at a mid-sized university.

Objective: To evaluate the drinking habits of students using the survey tool that will measure basic demographics to collect data.

Design: A cross-sectional study that included college students ages 17-21 at Columbus State University in the fall of 2021.

Setting: Columbus, Georgia.

Participants: University students (n = 260, mean age 20.5 ± 3.8).

Analysis: One-way ANOVA and independent t-tests were used to test differences in age on alcohol consumption and binge drinking. Chi-Square tests and Fisher's Exact were used to estimate differences in proportions of binge drinking for race and gender.

Results: Underage students (57.7%) reported having consumed alcohol in the past. Frequency of alcohol consumption increased with age (P = 0.004). Caucasian students reported drinking most frequently, with 14.8% (n = 12) drinking at least once a week, compared to 0 African American students reporting they drank at least once per week (P < 0.001). There were no significant findings when examining differences in binge drinking for demographics assessed in this sample (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: and Relevance: In this cross-sectional research study, the prevalence of underage drinking among college-aged students, there is a need for targeted prevention methods to reduce adverse health outcomes among this vulnerable population.