Sport Fan Attitudes on Alcohol: Insights from a Survey of Football Supporters in Scotland and England

Availability of alcohol at football matches in the UK is much debated and subject to multiple restrictions, yet there is little understanding of supporters’ attitudes. A cross-sectional survey of football supporters in Scotland and England (n = 1750) was conducted April–June 2019. Most supporters viewed drinking at matches as acceptable (74.4%) and thought alcohol should be available at grounds (76.0%); around two-fifths thought most supporters consumed alcohol before matches (44.1%); but only a quarter (26.6%) thought disorder at matches was due to alcohol. Attitudes varied by supporter characteristics: supporters who were younger, in England, or more regular match-goers were more favourable towards alcohol consumption and availability at matches. We conclude that alcohol regulations in some nations and sports – where restrictions are based on historical disorder – may no longer be appropriate.

Knowledge, attitudes and binge drinking among urban Chinese university students in Hong Kong

Background Although dormitory residents have been identified as a high-risk group for alcohol misuse in Chinese university settings, the factors associated with their drinking behaviors has not be characterized. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among hostel residents in two Hong Kong universities (n = 1455) using self-administered, anonymous surveys. In addition to examining the knowledge levels and drinking-related attitudes, we examined the factors associated with binge drinking in this population using multivariable regression analysis. Results Among university dormitory residents, the prevalence of past-month binge drinking was 26.8% among males and 12.8% among females. It was noted that although respondents demonstrated attitudes conducive towards alcohol-free socialization, they exhibited low levels of alcohol-related knowledge (mean knowledge score: 3.3/ 10, SD = 2.0). While about 59% were aware that alcohol is a carcinogen and that some medications should not be taken with alcohol, only 10.4% were familiar with symptoms of alcohol poisoning and only 23% were familiar with relative amounts of alcohol in different beverage categories. Of the respondents the factors independently associated with past-month binge drinking were: male sex, older age, full-time hostel residence, drinking roommates, drinking romantic partner, participation in drinking games, and having pro-alcohol attitudes (OR ranging from 1.33-3.69). Alcohol-related knowledge was not associated with binge drinking. Conclusions Although southern China is a low alcohol consumption area, binge drinking is common among university residents and requires multi-prong interventions. Heavy drinking is a neglected health problem among urban Chinese university students. Interventions targeting binge drinkers need to counteract pro-alcohol attitudes and peer effects. Increasing alcohol knowledge may additionally help to reduce alcohol-related harms in this age group. Key messages Urban Chinese university dormitory residents demonstrate low levels of alcohol knowledge. Pro-alcohol attitudes and peers effects need to be addressed in university anti-binge drinking interventions.

Variables Associated with Alcohol Consumption and Abstinence among Young Adults in Central China

This paper presents a descriptive analysis of data gathered by personal interviews from a multistage random sample of 1640 residents aged 18–34 years in Wuhan, China. First, alcohol drinkers and abstainers were compared based on demographic, attitude, and belief variables. Next, the drinkers from the sample were classified into four groups based on frequency-quantity of alcohol use, and the frequency-quantity groups were compared on the same variables. For Abstainers versus Drinkers, we found no difference by age or gender in this sample. Married people and people with children were more likely to be abstainers. University-educated, currently-employed individuals in mid-level jobs were more likely to abstain from alcohol. Vocational/Technical graduates, people who were currently attending college, currently unemployed and never-employed individuals were more likely to be drinkers. Abstainers also responded with less-positive attitudes and beliefs about drinking and attached more importance to reasons for not drinking compared to drinkers. When the drinking frequency-quantity groups were compared, gender differences became significant: more high-quantity drinkers were women; however the guideline for quantity for women was >1 drink at a time compared to >2 drinks at a time for men. Quantity and frequency of drinking was significantly associated with having children, educational level, employment status, and type of occupation. Age, marital status, and being in college did not relate significantly with quantity and frequency of drinking alcohol. Attitudes and beliefs about drinking tended to be more positive among high-frequency and high-quantity drinkers. Drinkers in all frequency-quantity groups attached greater importance to social reasons for drinking compared to personal/psychological reasons for drinking. Drinkers in the lowest frequency-quantity group attached the most importance to reasons for not drinking. These findings confirmed that in China drinking plays an important role in socializing and celebrating, and that there are important differences between alcohol drinkers and abstainers and between frequency/quantity groups of drinkers. Western models of individualized motivation of behaviors may not accurately explain alcohol use in China. We believe the findings from this study suggest the need for more detailed studies of alcohol drinking and abstaining.