Among nearly 3,000 Czech and Slovak university students surveyed during early COVID-19, tobacco and cannabis use were both positively associated with alcohol use disorders, with males at higher risk.
University health services, Central European substance use researchers, student prevention coordinators
Tobacco and cannabis use both associated with alcohol disorders in both countries
What the researchers found
Tobacco and cannabis use were positively associated with alcohol use disorders in both Czech and Slovak student samples. Males were more likely to report alcohol use disorders. In the Czech Republic, dormitory students had lower AUDIT scores, while in Slovakia, dormitory students had higher scores.
Why it matters
The COVID-19 pandemic may have altered substance use patterns among university students. Understanding the clustering of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use helps target prevention programs that address polysubstance patterns rather than single substances.
The numbers in context
1,422 Czech + 1,677 Slovak students; 93% CZ and 91% SK drank in past year; tobacco and cannabis positively associated with AUDIT scores; males had higher alcohol disorder risk; dormitory effects opposite between countries
How the study worked
Cross-sectional survey of 1,422 Czech and 1,677 Slovak university students during early COVID-19. Used AUDIT for alcohol, GN-SBQ for tobacco, and CAST for cannabis. Correlation and regression analyses examined substance use associations and demographic factors.
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional during COVID-19 may not reflect normal patterns. Self-reported measures. Convenience sampling of university students. Cannot determine if cannabis/tobacco use causes or results from alcohol problems.
How to read the evidence
Cross-national comparison with reasonable sample sizes, though cross-sectional design during pandemic conditions limits generalizability.
When this study was published
Published in 2021 during early COVID-19.
The bigger picture
The consistent association between cannabis and alcohol problems across two Central European countries reinforces that polysubstance use patterns are relevant for student health services throughout the region, not just in individual national contexts.
Questions still open
- Did COVID-19 lockdowns change the relationship between cannabis and alcohol use? Why did dormitory living have opposite effects in Czech Republic versus Slovakia?
Common questions
Did cannabis use predict alcohol problems?
Was this related to COVID-19?
Read the original research
Alcohol Use Disorders among Slovak and Czech University Students: A Closer Look at Tobacco Use, Cannabis Use and Socio-Demographic Characteristics.
International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(21)
Citation
Gavurova, Beata; Ivankova, Viera; Rigelsky, Martin. (2021). Alcohol Use Disorders among Slovak and Czech University Students: A Closer Look at Tobacco Use, Cannabis Use and Socio-Demographic Characteristics.. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(21). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111565
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