What is Unitcheck

Unitcheck is a project investigating the effectiveness of delivering a web-based feedback intervention for alcohol misuse to various groups of students around the United Kingdom. The intervention will consist mainly of feedback, advice and referral information on alcohol consumption. Its purpose is to monitor alcohol consumption and mental health outcomes and to offer students a source of information and advice.

Who is funding Unitcheck?

Unitcheck is funded by both the Alcohol Alcohol Education and Research Council and the Leeds NHS Primary Care Trust.

Who is taking part in Unitcheck?

During the first phase of the project, four higher education institutions from around the United Kingdom have been tested the site over the course of the 2007/2008 academic year. Access has also been granted to all University of Leeds students who can log on using their university e-mail address. Sixth form students in the Leeds area also have the opportunity to use the site during the 2008/2009 academic year. For further information, please contact us on unitcheck@leeds.ac.uk

How long is the Unitcheck project running for?

The first phase of the project began in July 2007 and runs until the end of 2008. The second phase of the project will give some sixth form students from the Leeds area the opportunity to test the website is underway, and this new project will run until August 2009. For further information, please contact us on unitcheck@leeds.ac.uk

Who do I contact if I want more information about Unitcheck?

Contact unitcheck@leeds.ac.uk.

What do I have to do to participate?

During a controlled trial of the website, participants are randomly selected to be part of either an intervention or control group. You will be asked to complete a survey at both the beginning and the end of the project. Intervention participants will also be asked to visit the website at regular intervals during the trial. The Unitcheck team will contact you when it is time to complete the next survey. If you are a University of Leeds student you can access the site at any time using your university e-mail address. Students from the 4 institutions who were part of the original trial can also use the site at any time.

Is my information secure?

All data is stored securely and only accessible to relevant members of the Unitcheck team.

How is my information kept confidential?

Responses to the survey will be kept strictly confidential. No responses will be linked to your name and individual data will be seen only by relevant members of the project team. All results will be presented at the aggregate level only. All data will be stored securely and confidentiality is assured.

How will my information be used?

No responses will be linked to your name and individual data will be seen only by relevant members of the project team. Your information will be combined with other responses and results will be presented at the aggregate level only.

Who has access to my information?

Your information is stored securely and only relevant members of the Unitcheck team will have access to your information. No responses will be linked to your name and personal email addresses will only be used to contact you as agreed.

How have I been selected to use this site?

Your institution is one of the original participating universities so you are now able to register to the site using your university e-mail address. If you have difficulty doing this please contact the project team (unitcheck@leeds.ac.uk). Sixth form students in the Leeds area are also able to access the Unitcheck site. Please contact the website team for more details.

I don't drink alcohol can I still use the site?

Yes, you can still use the site. We know that not all students drink alcohol. Students who don’t drink form and important part of the student body. This site also provides information to students who don’t drink so even if you don’t drink alcohol please log on.

Why can't I register?

If you cannot currently register, it may mean that you were not part of the original groups that tested the site, and therefore your e-mail is not recorded on the system. Access has now been given to all of the students from the universities who took part in the original trial, and this group can register to the site using their university e-mail address. Please contact us at unitcheck@leeds.ac.uk for further information, or if you are having difficulty registering to the site.

Why won't my login details work?

Please check your registration email to ensure that you are using the correct username and password. If you have forgotten your password or cannot find the relevant e-mail, please click the ‘forgotten password’ tab on the homepage. If you still can't login to the site please contact unitcheck@leeds.ac.uk

Can I pass the details of this site onto a friend?

If you are from one of the original participating institutions, please inform your friends from your university that they can access the Unitcheck site. If your friend is interested in using the site but does not attend one of the original participating universities, please ask them to contact unitcheck@leeds.ac.uk for more information about access to the site.

Is there a limit to the number of times I can enter the site?

No, not during the time your are eligible to use the site. During the various trials different groups of students will be invited to use the site at different times. However, while you have access to the site you can log on as often as you like to receive personalised feedback.

How can I accurately remember how much I drank?

Remembering accurately how much alcohol you have drank over the past week can be difficult for some people. Keeping a daily diary of alcohol consumption can help to increase the accuracy of your reporting.

How is my feedback calculated?

The feedback is calculated based on the information that you have provided throughout the questionnaire. Further information about government health guidelines can be found on the Alcohol misuse website.

Where can I find further information about alcohol consumption?

Further information about government guidelines for alcohol consumption can be found here.

I am under 18 years of age can I still use the site?

A project is underway that will offer 6th form college students from the Leeds area access to the site. If you would like further information please contact the project team on unitcheck@leeds.ac.uk. However, please remember that young people are advised by the government not to drink at all.

Can I use this site instead of seeking professional attention?

The information on this site is not intended as medical advice and should only be used as a guide to understanding your alcohol use and potential health issues. This is not a substitute for professional care so if you have, or suspect you have, an alcohol related problem you should seek professional attention. It is also important to be aware that there are certain circumstances where any amount of alcohol may not be safe (e.g. while pregnant, if certain medical conditions exist, when operating a vehicle or heavy machinery, if advised to abstain from consuming alcohol). If you are unclear about whether you should be consuming alcohol please seek advice from a medical practitioner for clarification.