Alcohol consumption of undergraduates at Oxford University

Abstract

At the end of the fourth week of the spring term 1982, 734 female and 754 male undergraduates at Oxford University were sent a questionnaire inquiring about their alcohol consumption. Of the 561 women and 522 men who replied, 80% and 85% respectively had drunk alcohol during the previous four days. The mean consumption over the four days was 8 units (equivalent to four pints of beer) for the women and 15 units (equivalent to eight pints of beer) for the men. Two-fifths of the alcohol consumed by women was in the form of wine and three-fifths consumed by men was in the form of beer. Sixteen per cent of female drinkers and 28% of male drinkers did try to limit or cut down their drinking although only four women and seven men consulted a doctor or a counsellor about their alcohol consumption. Student health services should be aware that alcohol may play a part in health or personal problems. Undergraduates might appreciate health education literature on alcohol.