Prevalence and Factors Related to Alcohol Consumption among Undergraduate Students in a Northeast Thailand Province

Abstract

          Background: Alcohol consumption among university students is increasing, especially in the north-east region of Thailand. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence and factors related to alcohol consumption among undergraduate students in a Northeast province in Thailand.          Method: This is a cross-sectional study. The participants were undergraduate students from universities in a Northeast province using stratified random sampling, in total was 853 participants. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics using Chi-square test with 95% significant differences.          Results: Most of participants were female, first-year undergraduate students, had grade point average (GPAX) in range 3-3.49 (from 4-level), resided in out-university dormitories, lived with friends, their income was from their parents. Their motivation for drinking consumption was mainly forced by senior students and their attitude towards alcohol was at a middle level. The prevalence rate of alcohol consumption was 56.3 percent and half of the participants were low-risk drinkers. Personal factors including sex, year of study, GPAX, place of residence, and attitude towards alcohol consumption were associated with alcohol consumption. Family factors associated with alcohol consumption were parents’ occupation, regular consumption of fathers, mothers and siblings.          Conclusions: The finding suggests that personal and family factors are potential factors for undergraduate students’ alcohol consumption. These factors need to be controlled in order to prevent alcohol consumption among undergraduate students. Surveillance and prevention should be done in a university, particularly among the first year students, and focusing among drinkers is essential because of drug dependence.