Needs Assessment for Alcohol-Related Risk Behavior among Virginia College Students

This project presents the results of a needs assessment for alcohol-related risk behaviors among students at three universities in Virginia. The National College Health Risk Behavior Survey (NCHRBS) was administered in two consecutive years to a total sample of 1314 students who were enrolled in personal health or wellness classes at each school. Of the six categories analyzed in the survey this study focused on alcohol-related risk behaviors.

Results from the NCHRBS indicated that 70% of all students surveyed reported binge drinking at least once a month, with 36.9% of students who reported binge drinking between six and thirty days per month, 39.1% had ridden with a driver who had been drinking and 25.4% had driven after they had been drinking. Chi-Square analyses indicated significant differences between the schools for age of onset of drinking alcohol and specific numbers of days binge drinking. To further study the alcohol-related risk behaviors at the three schools, prevention resources, including programs, personnel and services were compiled. Key informant data from three different faculty or staff at each school was obtained through interviews. The key informants were surveyed on perception of problems, adequacy of resources and solutions to reduce risky behaviors. The quantitative and qualitative results were useful to understand the complexities of alcohol-related risk behaviors. Considering the similarities among the student population at each university, it is hoped these results will help foster collaboration among the three universities to enhance best practices for alcohol-related prevention.