Institutional Prevention Programs as Predictors of Binge Drinking Among Black Americans Attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs

The objective of the study was to explore the influence of knowledge of institutional prevention programs and policies on binge drinking among Black Americans attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Two thousand forty-one Black American students, aged 18-53 were asked to complete a brief demographic questionnaire and the Core Alcohol and Drug Survey. The 765 male (37.5%) and 1276 female (62.5%) students did not differ significantly in age (p=ns). Following informed consent, students were asked to complete a brief demographic questionnaire and the Core Alcohol and Drug Survey. Knowledge of campus drug and alcohol prevention programs significantly influenced binge and non-binge drinking patterns, χ(2)10.22, p=.006. Belief that there was campus level concern about preventing drug and alcohol use also significantly influenced binge and non-binge drinking patterns, χ(2)9.17, p=.01. Knowledge of campus policies did not influence binge drinking patterns. Knowledge of institutional prevention programs are a more potent influence on alcohol consumption on the campuses of HBCUs than knowledge of policies.