Alcohol consumption by medical students

Freire, Bruno Rodarte; Castro, Pedro Alves Soares Vaz de; Petroianu, Andy

doi:10.1590/1806-9282.66.7.943

Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Brasil

Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira

Español English

Brasil

Español English

sumário « anterior atual seguinte »

Sumário

ORIGINAL ARTICLE • Rev. Assoc. Med. Bras. 66 (7) • July 2020 • https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9282.66.7.943 copy

Alcohol consumption by medical students

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

SUMMARY

OBJECTIVE

Excessive alcohol consumption is a global health issue. This article aims to evaluate the consumption of alcohol by medical students in relation to their personal and social aspects.

METHODS

This study was conducted with students in the first, third, and sixth year of medical school at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in 2019. Students were invited to participate anonymously by responding to a questionnaire with 15 questions regarding student characteristics (gender, age, family income, physical activity, origin, housing condition, and academic performance) and alcohol consumption (onset, reason, occasions of use, type of drink, amount consumed). Data were compared with significance corresponding to p<0.05.

RESULTS

A sample of 382 students of both sexes responded to the questionnaire. Alcohol consumption was reported by 85% of students. About 70% of first and third-year students and 47% of those of the sixth year were motivated by socializing with peers. Alcohol consumption was prevalent among those who practice physical activities (93%) and live with their families (89%). Around 80% had consumed alcohol before starting medical school, and consumption was more frequent in males.

CONCLUSIONS

Alcohol consumption begins during high school, stimulated by socialization. Men who practice physical activities and live with their families are the largest consumers.

Alcoholism; Students, medical; Family; Socialization; Academic performance; Physical activity

Characteristics	Sample
Characteristics	n	%
Sex
Male	188	49.2
Female	194	50.8
Total	382
Age (years)
17-20	117	30.6
21-24	196	51.3
Over 25	69	18.1
Study Cycle
Basic	167	43.7
Clinical	109	28.5
Practical	106	27.7
Income
Up to 3 minimum wages	46	12.0
Between 3 and 10 minimum wages	167	43.7
Over 10 minimum wages	168	44.0
Practice of physical activities
Never	50	13.1
Rarely (once a week)	105	27.5
Frequently (2-3 times/week)	124	32.5
Always (over 3 times/week)	103	27.0
Housing
With family	197	51.6
Without family	185	48.4
Origin
Belo Horizonte	176	46.1
Interior of the state of Minas Gerais	129	33.8
Other states	77	20.2
Academic performance
Between 40% and 60%	4	1.0
Between 60% and 80%	171	44.8
Above 80%	207	54.2

Characteristics	Sample
Characteristics	n	%
Alcohol consumption
No consumption	59	15.4
Up to once a week	214	56.0
Between 1 and 3 times/week	98	25.7
Over 3 times/week	11	2.9
Beginning of consumption
Before the start of the program	261	80.3
During the first year of the program	53	16.3
On the other years of the program	11	3.4
Reason for consumption
Fun	221	68.0
Socialization	205	63.1
Relax	155	47.7
Taste	126	38.8
Escape	40	12.3
Occasions in which consumption occurs
Social events	285	87.7
Meals	79	24.3
At home with relatives	108	33.2
At home alone	54	16.6
Amount consumed per occasion
1 can of beer (350mL) or equivalent	33	10.2
2 cans of beer (700mL) or equivalent	68	21.0
Over 2 cans of beer (700mL)^a	222	68.7
Who stimulated consumption initially
Friends	147	45.5
Program peers	66	20.4
Family	41	12.7
Partner	11	3.4
Idol	5	1.5

Associação Médica Brasileira R. São Carlos do Pinhal, 324, 01333-903 São Paulo SP - Brazil, Tel: +55 11 3178-6800, Fax: +55 11 3178-6816 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: ramb@amb.org.br

Acompanhe os números deste periódico no seu leitor de RSS

[1] CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Andy Petroianu Avenida Afonso Pena, 1626, apto.1901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil – 30130-005 Tel: +55 31 98884-9192 / +55 31 3409-9948 E-mail: petroian@gmail.com