Alcohol consumption among medical students

Abstract

Introduction. Medical students constitute a special social group differing a lot from the other studentship. First, they are professionally aware of the risks associated with bad habits. Second, they will be doctors soon and one of their future functions is to prevent bad habits (both current and potential) among their patients. The purpose of the study was to analyze alcohol consumption among medical students of different gender depending on socio-psychological factors. Materials and methods. The analysis was based on the student survey data of the Kuban State Medical University (Krasnodar). The survey used an electronic anonymous questionnaire. A total of one thousand seven hundred thirty two questionnaires have been analyzed (questionnaires completed by males accounted for 24.1% of the total number of questionnaires). Comparisons of shares of individual responses in different groups of respondents have been conducted on the basis of four-field tables using Chi-square criterion, significance level p < 0.05. The relative risk and its confidence interval have been determined. Results. 37.6% of respondents have not consumed alcohol in the last 12 months. 45.0% of students consume alcohol once per month or less frequently. Every 7th student (14.6%) drinks alcohol 2–3 times a month, and only 1.1% indulge more often (2–3 times a week). The relationship between frequency of alcohol consumption and characteristic features differed by gender. Research limitations. The analysis was based on the student survey data of the Kuban State Medical University (Krasnodar). Conclusions. The situation among young students — students of the Medical University, is rather favourable. As the number of years in training increases the share of students who consume alcohol decreases. However, the level of general anxiety is on the rise coupled development of episodes of behaviour in some respondents that raise concern.