Assessment of attitude and behavior related to alcohol use in college students after participation in an alcohol awareness program

Literature indicates that college students have a higher prevalence of alcohol use than their noncollege counterparts (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1991). Heavy drinking causes problems for the drinker, threatens the quality and safety of the college experience for nondrinking students, and increases costs for colleges. (Harvard School of Public Health, 1995).

Colleges and universities have developed programs to combat binge drinking (five or more drinks in one sitting for men, four for women), and to heighten campus awareness of the problem (Harvard School of Public Health, 1995). Edinboro University of Pennsylvania has such a program in place. Using the Core Alcohol and Drug Survey, this study evaluated the program’s effectiveness by measurement of change in: (a) self-reported alcohol use, (b) negative consequences resulting from alcohol use, (c) student perception of other students’ use of alcohol, and (d) awareness of campus alcohol and drug policies. A comparison of pretest (N-68) and posttest (n=19) results showed percentage changes but Chi Square testing rejected a relationship between program participation and change in behavior or attitude toward the use of alcohol.