Irish third-level students spend as much money on alcohol as they do on food, according to the results of a survey on student well-being and welfare.
The College Lifestyle and Attitudinal National (Clan) study identified mental health, sexual health and alcohol-related harm as three main areas of concern which can undermine students' academic performance.
According to the Clan survey, the most vulnerable students are those in first and second years and the common factors are the misuse of alcohol and poor coping strategies.
The study found that three out of four drinking occasions were binge drinking occasions for male students and three out of five drinking occasions were binge drinking occasions for female students.
Binge drinking was defined in the survey as drinking at least four pints of beer, a bottle of wine or the equivalent in a single session.
Students spent about €80 million on alcohol during the college year, with binge drinkers spending about €148 on alcohol per month.
One in ten students were found to have engaged in unsafe sex practices, and 42% of female students who were sexually active had used the morning after pill.
Students were also found to have poor strategies for coping with anxiety or depression. Over half of all students said they would deal with it alone, one in three would try to ignore it, one in ten would take drugs or get drunk and one in twenty would do nothing.
The main findings illustrate how many of these factors are inter-related and a number of recommendations have been made which, according to Minister of State at the Department of Health Seán Power, provided a clear picture of the issues and problems which affect students in third level colleges.
