Evolution of the Risk of Problematic Alcohol Use in University Students: A Longitudinal Study Based on the uniHcos Cohort Data
2025
Botella-Juan, Lorena | Arias-De la Torre, Jorge | Amezcua-Prieto, Carmen | Morales Suárez-Varela, María | Ayán-Pérez, Carlos | Mateos-Campos, Ramona | Ortiz-Moncada, Rocío | Redondo, Susana | Delgado-Parrilla, Ana | Blázquez-Abellán, Gemma | Delgado-Rodríguez, Miguel | Alonso-Molero, Jéssica | Martín-Sánchez, Vicente | Molina, Antonio José | Fernández-Villa, Tania | Ortiz-Moncada, Rocío | Universidad de Alicante. Departamento de Enfermería Comunitaria, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública e Historia de la Ciencia | Grupo de Investigación en Alimentación y Nutrición (ALINUT)
This study aims to analyse the evolution of problematic alcohol use among Spanish university students. A longitudinal analysis was performed on data from the uniHcos cohort (n = 1181; 76.7% female). Participants were assessed at university entry (T1) and after 2–3 years (T2). The overall alcohol consumption prevalence remained high and stable (past 30-days alcohol use 76.2% at T1; 76.4% at T2). Binge drinking practice in the past 30 days was also consistent (44.0% at T1; 44.3% at T2). Regarding the risk of problematic alcohol (measured with AUDIT), the prevalence rates remained stable over time (28.2% in T1 to 30.3% in T2). However, a high persistence rate was observed during university (61% of cases), and 18% of new incident cases were detected during follow-up. Factors associated with an increased risk of problematic alcohol included cohabitation with peers, psychological distress, smoking, and drug experimentation. No sex differences were identified. These findings highlight the need for targeted prevention strategies to address increasing risky alcohol use among university students and mitigate its long-term effects.
Show more [+] Less [-]Open access funding provided by FEDER European Funds and the Junta de Castilla y León under the Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialization (RIS3) of Castilla y León 2021-2027. This research was funded by National Drug Plan from the Ministry of Health. Social Services and Equality of Spain: 2010|145; 2013|034; 2020|030; 2024|080; Instituto de Salud Carlos III: PI16/01947. Lorena Botella-Juan: predoctoral contract financed by the European Social Fund (EDU/842/2022) and the Junta de Castilla y León—Consejería de Educación (Spain).
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