Alcohol Use and Related Problems among Students of Social Work at Selected Universities in the Czech Republic and Slovakia - a Pilot Study of Risky Periods
Abstract
Students in the field of social work deal with the issues connected with alcohol both in their studies and later in practice. This article aims to describe and analyse the experience with alcohol use and experience with the issues that are related to its use among undergraduate students of social work.
The research was designed as a sample survey using questionnaires. The questionnaire consisted of 27 questions.
The research sample comprised 302 bachelor students of social work from the universities in Ústí nad Labem, Bratislava and Banská Bystrica. The obtained data allow to perform intergroup comparisons.
Among undergraduate social work students, the first experience with alcohol consumption took place most often in the age between their 13 and 15. The experience with the first intoxication appeared relatively later, in the age between 16 and 18.
In the last thirty days, nearly 96% of students drank at the university in Ústi nad Labem, while in Bratislava it was 79.8% of students, and in Banska Bystrica 87.8% of students. In the last 30 days, most students drank wine (75.2%), followed by spirits (55%).
Less than a half of the students drank beer (37.4%) and so-called alcopops (24.5%). The students answered that most often they drink alcohol in bars (51.2%) and at home (49.1%).
Problems that students were exposed to in connection with the use of alcohol are dominated by quarrels/disputes, damages to a thing or clothing, and reduced efficiency at work or at school. Among 20 to 30 percent of all students reported also an incidence of problematic sexual experiences, problems in relationships with friends, injuries, loss of money or problems in relations with parents.
Alcohol use among respondents does not generally seem problematic, and the results confirm findings of previous research.