Harmful Alcohol Use in Urban Indian Undergraduates: Demographic Patterns and Correlates

Background Harmful alcohol use among undergraduate students in India is an emerging public health concern, yet research examining the demographic characteristics of students exhibiting harmful use remains limited. Understanding these patterns is crucial for designing early, targeted interventions. Methods This analysis draws on data obtained from the control sites of a larger quasi-experimental study. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using baseline data collected from undergraduate students in two urban co-educational colleges. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), developed by the World Health Organization, was used to screen alcohol consumption. Students scoring between eight and 19 were classified as harmful alcohol users. Analyses within this subgroup examined associations between AUDIT scores and selected demographic variables using non-parametric statistical tests. Results Of the 1,260 students screened, 168 (13.3%) were identified as harmful alcohol users. Within this subgroup, higher AUDIT scores were significantly associated with male gender, being in the final academic year, nuclear family structure, parental alcohol use, and lack of alcohol-related education (p < 0.05). No significant associations were observed with academic performance, type of current residence, or monthly parental income. Conclusion Harmful alcohol use was found to cluster within specific demographic groups, underscoring the need for focused screening and tailored preventive approaches on college campuses. Nurse educators and community health nurses are well-positioned to implement early, culturally responsive interventions that could mitigate the progression of harmful drinking among young adults.