This study aims to evaluate alcohol consumption among medical students at the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), São Luís, Brazil, in 2010. Students completed two self-reported questionnaires: the first containing general information to be collected; and the second an AUDIT test, tracking the risks of their consumption. The research involved 337 students: 54.8% male and 45.2% female. Two hundred and seventeen (64.2%) reported consuming alcohol. The situations considered most suitable for drinking were college parties. Most of the drinkers (55.8%) fell within Zone I according to the AUDIT score (low-risk alcohol consumption); 38.2% were in Zone II (medium risk); 4.6% in Zone III (high risk); and 1,4% in Zone IV (very high risk). It was found that alcohol consumption was higher among students who were further advanced in their course and among those who did not live with their parents, who showed statistically significant p values. Medical students should therefore be educated on the detrimental risks of alcohol consumption and the consequences that these may entail for their profession.
Students, Medical; Alcoholism; Alcohol Drinkig
