Assessment Review/Executive Summary for Student Affairs (Complete after assessment)

Transcription

1 Date Submitted to VPSA IRB Approval Date Assessment Review/Executive Summary for Student Affairs (Complete after assessment) Department: Assessment Title: SAAT Liaison: Student Health Center Core Alcohol and Drug Survey-Fall Karen Gordon-Sosby Overview & Response Rate: Provide the methods used to administer the assessment and the timeline. Identify demographics of respondents; include the number mailed or interviewed and the number completed. Due to low response rates from web-based Core surveys in previous years, a convenience sample was used in the fall of The sample was taken from Psychology and Physical Fitness and Wellness classes. Twelve hundred paper scantron surveys were distributed and 1124 were completed. This yielded a 93.6% response rate. There were 5 additional questions added to the survey. Please see attachment for additional questions. Demographics: 87% were in the typical college age range of % were female 53% worked part-time or full-time 94% were full-time students 16% reported spending at least 5 hours per month in volunteer work 34% were sophomore, 31% were juniors, 22% were seniors and 12% were freshman 8 lived in a house or apartment 28% were involved in intramural or club sports 11% were actively involved in Intercollegiate Athletics 8% were involved with Social Fraternities and Sororities Students described themselves as: White: 58% Black-not Hispanic: 7% Hispanic or Latina/o: 3 Asian or Pacific Islander: 3. American Indian, Alaskan Native or Native Hawaiian:0.4% Other: 2. Distribution: List groups that will receive reports (oral or written) from this assessment. Include timeline for when presented.

2 Information will be presented to the Student Health Center Staff. Fall 2011 Information will be presented to Student Affairs Council. Summer 2011 Information will be shared with the Student Affairs Assessment Team. Summer 2011 Information will be included in health presentations presented by professional health educators and peer health educators. Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 Information will be shared with Health & Wellness Promotion Faculty. Fall 2011 Summary of Findings: Include narrative, table and figures, if applicable. What did you learn? See Attachment. Link to Strategic Plan: List the strategic plan objective supported by this assessment. Specifically identify the results which relate to strategic initiative(s). Goal III. Be a health and wellness resource for the campus community Obj A. Develop interventions that promote healthy student behaviors Link to Learning/Program Outcomes: List the learning/program outcome supported by this assessment. Specifically identify the results which provide evidence of learning. NA Recommendations/Action Plan: Describe specific actions or programmatic changes you will make resulting from this assessment. Include semester(s) of implementation and proposed follow up assessment. Social Norms campaign/information to correct misperception about substance abuse. (Fall 2011 and Spring 2012) Target students or groups that are potential high risk drinkers with social norms campaigns, education and bystander training. Assess aforementioned campaigns, trainings and educational programs. Propose a Campus/Community Alcohol and Drug Task Force. Return completed form to VPSA Office, 980 J.C. Kellam, before the end of the semester in which the assessment was conducted.

3 Core Alcohol and Drug Survey Fall 2010 Executive Summary In fall, 2010, Texas State participated in the Core Alcohol and Drug Survey. A convenience sample of 1200 currently enrolled Texas State students, eighteen years of age or older were distributed a scantron survey in a classroom. The courses selected for the sample were Physical Fitness and Wellness and Psychology. A total of 1124 students completed the survey, yielding a 94% response rate. The survey consists of 39 questions that address alcohol and other drug use rates; assesses perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes of students; and identifies which environmental factors are most influential in alcohol and drug use. Five additional questions were added that address binge drinking, alcohol poisoning and prescription drug use. Results from the survey are used, in combination with other needs-assessment methods, to guide programmatic and prevention efforts of Health Promotion Services at the Student Health Center. Highlights from the study: Overall, alcohol use has gone down since the last Core survey in However, marijuana use is up 2% from the 2006 Core survey. Alcohol and Drug use rates for Texas State are higher than the national average in almost every category. A population of concern is students that responded to drinking 3 times per week or more. Twenty-five percent of Texas State students responded to that question and the report reveals that they have higher rates of binge drinking, problematic experiences and drug use. The report also revealed that perception of alcohol and drug use is significantly higher than actual use.

4 Following are some key findings on the use of alcohol: 87% of the students consumed alcohol in the past year ("annual prevalence"). 77% of the students consumed alcohol in the past 30 days ("30-day prevalence"). 71.5% of underage students (younger than 21) consumed alcohol in the previous 30 days. 51% of students reported binge drinking in the previous two weeks. A binge is defined as consuming 5 or more drinks in one sitting. Average number of drinks consumed per week at Texas State is 4.6 drinks. The national average is 5.2. Additional question-binge Drinking: An additional question was added to clarify binge drinking behavior. The question on the Core survey does not include a time period for consuming 5 or more drinks. Students could have 5 drinks in 5 or 6 hours versus 1 or 2 hours. How many times in the last 2 weeks have you had 5 or more drinks in a 2-hour or less period of time? 56% of students reported engaging in binge drinking 0 times. Based on the additional questions, 44% of Texas State students reported binge drinking. The proportion of students who report having had problems as a result of drinking or drug use: 1% Been arrested for DWI/DUI 13% Been in trouble with police, residence hall, or other college authorities 6% Damaged property, pulled fire alarms, etc. 43% Driven a car while under the influence 34% Got into an argument or fight 14% Been hurt or injured 12% Thought I might have a drinking or other drug problem 25% Performed poorly on a test or important project 37% Done something I later regretted 32% Missed a class 31% Been criticized by someone I know 36% Had a memory loss 57% Got nauseated or vomited 69% Had a hangover

5 Sexual Behavior: 78% of the students reported engaging in sexual intercourse within the past year. Of these, 23% used alcohol the last time they had sex. With regard to students perceptions of other students use: 92% of students believe the average student on campus uses alcohol at least once a week or more. 75% of students believe the average student on this campus uses some form of illegal drug at least once a week. Students that reported drinking 3 times per week or more have higher alcohol and drug use, as well as more problematic experiences resulting from alcohol and drug use. Please see graphs. Key Alcohol Findings for students that drink 3x per week or more N=277 (25%) Consumed Alcohol Past Year Consumed Alcohol last 30 days Binge Drinking in past 2 weeks /3x National 2008

6 Problematic Experiences with Alcohol /3x National Had a hangover Problematic Experiences with Alcohol Got nauseated or vomited Had memory Missed class loss Performed poorly on a test /3x National 08 The Core Alcohol and Drug Survey Texas State Fall 2010

7 Most Frequently Reported illegal drugs used in the past 30 days Marijuana Amphetamines Cocaine /3x National 2008 KEY FINDINGS ON THE USE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS Used marijuana in the past year used an illegal drug other than marijuana in the past year Current users of illegal drugs other than mafijuana /3x National 08 The Core Alcohol and Drug Survey Texas State Fall 2010 Following are some key findings on the use of illegal drugs: 41% of the students have used marijuana in the past year ("annual prevalence"). 27% of the students are current marijuana users ("30-day prevalence"). 16.5% of the students have used an illegal drug other than marijuana in the past year ("annual prevalence ). 8.5% of the students are current users of illegal drugs other than marijuana ("30-day prevalence ).

8 The most frequently reported illegal drugs used in the past 30 days were: 27% Marijuana (pot, hash, hash oil) 4. Amphetamines (diet pills, speed) 3. Sedatives (downers, ludes) Additional question-prescription Drugs: 19% of students reported using a stimulant medication in ways that were not prescribed by a physician. 23% of students using pain relievers in ways that were not prescribed by a physician. Health Promotion programming and resources should continue to focus on educating students about the risks associated with these behaviors and provide tools and an environment conducive to helping students reduce or eliminate associated risks. Social marketing and social norms campaigns should be utilized to address perception problems with alcohol and drug use behaviors and communicate the normative behaviors of our students. There are many avenues for reaching students, delivering health information and ultimately changing behavior. We must continue and improve our ecological (environmental) approach in addressing the substance abuse issues on our campus. Texas State should continue to support the health promotion staff by providing adequate resources and collaborative opportunities to reduce alcohol and drug use and the consequences of their use at Texas State.