Citation

McNeely J, Haley SJ, Smith AJ, Leonard NR, Cleland CM, Ferdschneider M, Calderoni M, Sleiter L, Ciotoli C, Adam A. J. Am. Coll. Health 2019; 67(6): 541-550.

Affiliation

a Department of Population Health , NYU School of Medicine , New York , New York , USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07448481.2018.1498852

PMID

30240331

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the prevalence of tobacco, alcohol, and drug use and the acceptability of screening in university health centers. PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred and two consecutively recruited students presenting for primary care visits in February and August, 2015, in two health centers.

METHODS: Participants completed anonymous substance use questionnaires in the waiting area, and had the option of sharing results with their medical provider. We examined screening rates, prevalence, and predictors of sharing results.

RESULTS: Past-year use was 31.5% for tobacco, 67.1% for alcohol (>4 drinks/day), 38.6% for illicit drugs, and 9.2% for prescription drugs (nonmedical use). A minority (43.8%) shared screening results. Sharing was lowest among those with moderate-high risk use of tobacco (OR =0.37, 95% CI 0.20-0.69), alcohol (OR =0.48, 95% CI 0.25-0.90), or illicit drugs (OR =0.38, 95% CI 0.20-0.73).

CONCLUSIONS: Screening can be integrated into university health services, but students with active substance use may be uncomfortable discussing it with medical providers.

Language: en

Keywords

Alcohol; alcohol use disorders; drug use disorders; illicit drugs; screening; student health services; tobacco