Is Alcohol Consumption Related to Lifestyle Factors in Romanian University Students?

Bogdana Adriana Năsui, Rodica Ana Ungur, Patricia Talaba, Valentin Nicolae Varlas, Nina Ciuciuc, Cristina Alina Silaghi, Horatiu Silaghi, Dana Opre and Anca Lucia Pop
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Bogdana Adriana Năsui: Department of Community Health, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Louis Pasteur Street, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Rodica Ana Ungur: Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of General Medicine, “Iuliu-Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Patricia Talaba: Department of Community Health, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Louis Pasteur Street, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Valentin Nicolae Varlas: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Filantropia Clinical Hospital, 11171 Bucharest, Romania
Nina Ciuciuc: Department of Community Health, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Louis Pasteur Street, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Cristina Alina Silaghi: Department of Endocrinology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Victor Babes Street 8, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Horatiu Silaghi: Department of Surgery V, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Victor Babes Street 8, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Dana Opre: Department of Educational Science, University Babes Bolyai, 1-3 Kogalniceanu Street, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Anca Lucia Pop: Department of Clinical Laboratory, Food Safety, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Traian Vuia Street, 020945 Bucharest, Romania

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-16

Abstract: Poor eating habits and substance abuse are major public health concerns among young adults transitioning into university life. This study’s objective was to assess Romanian students’ alcohol consumption and correlate it with other lifestyle factors. We performed a cross-sectional study of 1212 students with a mean age of 21.1 ± 2.4 years. We applied a valid online questionnaire to evaluate and statistically analyze the interrelation between alcohol consumption and lifestyle factors by multivariate statistical analysis. The prevalence of alcohol consumption among the student population enrolled in the study was 79.9%. Multiple regression showed that alcohol consumption was positively associated with gender ( p < 0.001), level of physical activity ( p = 0.009), number of cigarettes ( p < 0.001), and fast-food consumption ( p < 0.001), and negatively associated with sleep ( p = 0.012) and study hours ( p < 0.001). The study revealed a high prevalence (18%) of binge drinking among males. The frequent use of illicit drugs is associated with alcohol consumption ( p < 0.001) but present at low levels (1.6%). The study evidenced a high prevalence of alcohol consumption in students, especially in males, and poor food behavior related to the intake of vegetables and fruits. Health promotion campaigns regarding the harmful effects of alcohol, smoking, poor nutrition, and ongoing illicit drug prevention campaigns are needed to improve students’ performances.

Keywords: alcohol consumption; students; lifestyle; sleep; nutrition; Romania; Europe; smoking; illicit drugs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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