engleski

Frequency and harmfulness of alcohol use among medical students at University of Rijeka, School of medicine

The aim of our study was to determine the occurrence and frequency of alcohol use among medical students at the University of Rijeka, School of Medicine, and also to evaluate frequency and gravity disorders caused by alcohol use. The study included the total sample of 74 first- year medical students, in the academic year 2005/2006, and 257 first, third and sixth-year students in the academic year 2007/2008. Self-reported AUDIT questionnaire was used to identify disorders related to alcohol use. Results of the research showed that the majority of medical students consumed alcohol 2 to 4 times a month. The number of abstainers in the first year of study amounted to 7%, with a decreasing tendency towards higher years of study. A probability for harmful effects of alcohol consumption was indicated especially in third-year students with the prevalence of 60%. By monitoring the same generation in a two year period, a 37% increase in the probability for risky and harmful alcohol consumption was determined. The results showed a necessity for taking preventive measures among students, which are important not only for their own health, but also for developing medically acceptable attitude concerning alcohol use. This will lead to future physicians being more efficient in the primary prevention of disorders caused by alcohol use.

alcohol ; students ; AUDIT ; prevention

nije evidentirano