The Health of Cal Poly Pomona Students 21 st Birthday  21 Drinks Celeste Fernandez Peer Health Educator California State University Student Research Competition May 2000

Student Health Services - Division of Student Affairs - Cal Poly Pomona 2 Awards Southern California Auto Club (AAA) $1,000 Prevention or control campus alcohol or other drug use, which can result in impaired driving Cal Poly Pomona Student Research Competition 3 rd Place Promising Practices Submitted as campus alcohol strategy

Student Health Services - Division of Student Affairs - Cal Poly Pomona 3 Background 21 st Birthday Binge drinking Expectation 50% greater than actual Actual 4 times greater than in past 2 weeks Negative Consequences 21% 8% expect to Drive drunk Be in a car crash

Student Health Services - Division of Student Affairs - Cal Poly Pomona 4 Problem Statement Do the messages about drinking “social norms” & safety drinking tips on the 21 st birthday card result in safer celebrating by reducing negative consequences from drinking?

Student Health Services - Division of Student Affairs - Cal Poly Pomona 5 Research Objectives Determine perceived versus actual drinks Develop a 21 st birthday card resulting in: Fewer negative consequences Lower average drinks Lower frequency of binge drinking

Student Health Services - Division of Student Affairs - Cal Poly Pomona 6 Methodology Sample Cal Poly Pomona students Turning 21 Sample size: 613

Student Health Services - Division of Student Affairs - Cal Poly Pomona 7 Methodology Fieldwork Data from 800+ students Created card Card sent to ~300 Follow-up questionnaire Pre-paid stamped envelope To all students Reminder postcard

Student Health Services - Division of Student Affairs - Cal Poly Pomona 8 The Card

Student Health Services - Division of Student Affairs - Cal Poly Pomona 9 The Card

Student Health Services - Division of Student Affairs - Cal Poly Pomona 10 The Card

Student Health Services - Division of Student Affairs - Cal Poly Pomona 11 The Card

Student Health Services - Division of Student Affairs - Cal Poly Pomona 12 Limitations Non-response errors Response bias

Student Health Services - Division of Student Affairs - Cal Poly Pomona 13 Findings - Females Number of Drinks ExpectedActualDifference Card No Card

Student Health Services - Division of Student Affairs - Cal Poly Pomona 14 Findings – Males Number of Drinks ExpectedActualDifference Card No Card

Student Health Services - Division of Student Affairs - Cal Poly Pomona 15 Additional Findings In positive direction Binge drinking lower  40% Had negative consequences Received card: 5.6 drinks Did not receive card: 9.0 drinks Average drinks lower 20% to 50%

Student Health Services - Division of Student Affairs - Cal Poly Pomona 16 Conclusions Effective for females not for males Non-response error 18% returned questionnaire Response bias Consequences 12% for both groups of females 12% of males receiving the card 6% of males not receiving the card

Student Health Services - Division of Student Affairs - Cal Poly Pomona 17 Recommendations Card Norms “Party Safe” limits Instrument Likert scale Collection methodology Personal interviews Focus groups Outside organization

Student Health Services - Division of Student Affairs - Cal Poly Pomona 18 Discussion Cost Effective Intervention 50 cents per student $1,100 per year Healthy People 2010 Objective Reduced ethanol consumption Objective Reduced excessive drinking

Student Health Services - Division of Student Affairs - Cal Poly Pomona 19 Look Out for Healthy Students Return to 21 st Birthday Card Web PageReturn to 21 st Birthday Card Web Page Download this PresentationDownload this Presentation