Assessing Alcohol Consumption among Mongolian Students Using ASSIST

Abstract

Objectives: There has been a rapid growth of alcohol use among Mongolians, particularly the youth. The goal of this study was to identify the risk scores of alcohol consumption among Mongolian students. Methods: Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), recommended by the WHO international group of researchers, was used in this study. Results: Of the 150 students who had consumed alcohol before, 111 (74%) scored "low risk" (0-10 points), 39 (26%) scored "moderate risk" (11-26 points), and no subjects scored "high risk" (27+ points). 67 (44.7%) said that they have experienced health, social, and/or financial problems related to alcohol consumption. Conclusion: Health problems (OR=1.9; 95% CI, 2.2-0.04, p<0.002), social problems (OR=1.91; 95% CI, 1.5-0.11, p<0.001), and strong desire or urge to drink alcohol (OR=2.5; 95% CI, 4.5-8.1, p<0.000) significantly influenced risk scores.