Alcohol Use and Related Problem Behavior: a Survey Among Russian Federation and Israeli Female University Students

Alcohol use is a significant public health concern among university students who tend to have a high level of consumption. There is a dearth of information about female university student alcohol use especially on a cross-national basis. The survey sample consisted of female students from universities located in the cities of Smolensk, Russian Federation (n = 450), and Beer Sheva, Israel (n = 562). The valid and reliable data self-administered collection instrument used, the Substance Use Survey Instrument (SUSI), was translated to Hebrew and Russian and back translated. Binary logistic regression was performed to assess independent predictors of heavy drinking status. Chi-square analysis showed Russian students had significantly lower levels of alcohol use, heavy drinking use, and most related problem behavior than those of their Israeli counterparts. Regression analysis indicated last month smoking, mixing energy drinks and alcohol, being a passenger in a car when the driver had been drinking, academic achievement decline, and missing classes because of party habits significantly predicted heavy drinking among survey participants. Contrary to expected outcomes, Israeli female students reported higher levels of alcohol use and problem behavior than those from the Russian Federation. This survey outcome calls for further investigation of alcohol use beliefs based on ethnic status as well as student background factors that were not addressed.