Alcohol Consumption of Undergraduates at Oxford University

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.