Drinking and heavy drinking by students in 18 countries.

Abstract

This paper examines how levels of drinking, daily drinking and heavy drinking are related in 18 countries. There is wide national variation in consumption patterns. The proportions of students drinking and the proportion drinking at least six times in the past month correlated with per capita consumption in the total adult population. Some student drinking variables correlated with each other. Most countries (n=14) could be classified into one of two distinct groups based on the percentage of students who reported drinking at least six times per month, the percentage reporting drinking at least five drinks per day at any time in the last month and per capita alcohol consumption. Some countries in these groups were geographically close but others were not. Further research is needed to understand differences and similarities among countries with respect to student drinking.