[Pathological alcohol consumption amongst students from the University of Cartagena, 2008].

Objective: Determining the frequency of pathological alcohol consumption and characterising the variables related to such consumption in students taking daytime programmes at the University of Cartagena.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used; 1,031 students from daytime programmes at the University of Cartagena participated in it (480 males and 551 females). They were selected by randomly sampling responses to a questionnaire which included the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT). Stata 9.1 software was used for single variable analysis.

Results: 34.5% of the students displayed a high risk of consumption, mainly males (41.1%). Total consumption was 83.6%, median age for the most frequent consumption was 15/16 (38%), beer being the preferred drink (65 %). Reported problems included alcohol poisoning (68%), physical ailments (58%), light headedness (30%), having sex without protection (19%) and family problems (12%).

Conclusions: Alcohol consumption amongst college students was high, as was their tendency to consume dangerous quantities, mainly males having low-consumption characteristics (once a month or less) but consuming large amounts (5 drinks or more) on such occasions.