Alcohol-related harm among university students in Hanoi, Vietnam

Introduction and Aim: This study examines the prevalence of and risk alcohol-related harm and types of harm among medical students from Hanoi University (Vietnam). Risk factors include aspects of drinking patterns relevant socio-demographic variables. Study Design and Methods: A cross- study involving 1st to 6th year students (N=1216; response rate 96.5%). 210 students from each academic year were randomly selected from a covering all students from each academic year. Data were collected using questionnaire distributed in class by researchers. Drinkers completed 23 questions on alcohol-related harm categorized into: 1) 'negative daily activities'; 2) 'social conflict'; 3) 'loss of control, acute and withdrawal'; 4) 'mental health conditions'; and 5) 'physical and health problems'. Logistic and Poisson regression models were used to the predictors of alcohol-related harm and the amount of harm, Results: The prevalence of alcohol use associated with at least one or the five types of harm was higher in men (81.8%) than in women (60.4%). and male students, the most common harm category was 'loss of control, consequences, and withdrawal' (51.8 and 75.6%, respectively), followed 'negative influence on daily activities' (29.4 and 55.8%, respectively). living away from home, and average number of standard drinks per male drinkers, and age and frequency of drinking per week among female were associated with alcohol-related harm. Conclusions: These data alcohol-related harm represents a serious public health problem among educated individuals in Vietnam. The risk factors indicate that be aimed at aspects of drinking patterns and specific subpopulations gender, age, and (for men only) type of living situation

Secondhand effects of alcohol use among students in Vietnam

Background: In many countries worldwide, heavy drinking can cause harm not only to drinkers but also to those around them. Objective: To examine the prevalence and predictors of secondhand effects of alcohol use among students in Vietnam. Design: In this cross-sectional study, a multistage sampling strategy was used to select 6,011 students (from the first to final study year) of 12 universities/faculties in four provinces in Vietnam. During class, students filled in a questionnaire asking for demographic information, and about alcohol-related problems and details of secondhand effects of alcohol during the past year. Exploratory factor analysis of the secondhand effects indicated two factors: non-bodily harm and bodily harm. A logistic regression model was used to explore the association between predictors and non-bodily harm and bodily harm. Results: The prevalence of secondhand effects of alcohol is high among students in Vietnam: 77.5% had non-bodily effects and 34.2% had bodily effects. More than 37% of the population reported three to four non-bodily effects and more than 12% reported two to three bodily harms due to the drinking of others. However, most respondents who reported secondhand effects experienced these less than once per month. Factors most strongly associated with the yearly non-bodily harm were the weekly drinking habits of the people the respondents live with, and living in a smaller city; the factor most strongly associated with the yearly bodily harm was the respondent's own alcohol-related problems. Moreover, weekly drinking habits of the people the respondents live with, and respondent's own alcohol-related problems are strongly associated with the frequent experience of non-bodily and bodily effects of alcohol. Conclusions: In addition to dealing with alcohol-related harm of drinkers themselves, preventing secondhand effects should also be a major focus of prevention policy