4016.0: Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - Board 2

Abstract #28176

Alcohol use among a sample of college students in Inner Mongolia

Yuchen Li, MD1, Ian Newman, PhD2, Ming Ao3, Ming Qu4, and Gordon Barnes, PhD3. (1) IMAR Health Education Institute, Huhhot City, China, (2) Health and Human Performance, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, (402)472-3844, inewman1@unl.edu, (3) University of Victoria, PO Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada, (4) Health & Human Performance, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 135 Mabel Lee Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588

Methods: 437 college students in Hohhot City, Inner Mongolia, completed a questionnaire addressing alcohol use, frequency, and quantity, social circumstances of alcohol use, binge drinking, drunkenness, flushing, drinking practices of family and close friends, and attitudes toward drinking. Results: One-third of college students reported never drinking alcohol, 45% were classified as occasional drinkers, and 10% as regular drinkers. 75% of the males and 62% of the females reported ever using alcohol. Most regular and occasional drinkers (61%, 71% respectively) said sociability was the reason they drank. Enhancing meals and to forget worries were two other main reasons given. Beer was the most common form of alcohol consumed (88%). Of those who drank, 17% reported binge drinking at least once in the past year. Most students said their father drank (74%), compared to only 2.3% who said their mother drank. Most students (70%) reported their family disapproves of their drinking. Half (51%) reported their close friends supported their drinking. Thirty percent of drinkers reported flushing. Forty-five percent of the drinkers and 32% of the nondrinkers agreed that drinking affected their health, study and work. Results from earlier surveys of Inner Mongolia high school students are referenced in the discussion. Conclusion: This study established the first known database on college student alcohol use in Inner Mongolia. Coupled with earlier data describing high school student alcohol use it now is possible to describe an initial profile of adolescent alcohol use in this sample of Inner Mongolia students.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: 1. Describe alcohol use among a sample of Inner Mongolia college students 2. Discuss differences in college students’ and high school students’ alcohol use in Inner Mongolia 3. Assess the significance of these data in developing public health programs

Keywords: Alcohol Use, Youth

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA