Tobacco and alcohol use among Romanian dental and medical students: a cross-sectional questionnaire survey.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to assess smoking and alcohol use in Romanian dental and medical students.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 185 questionnaires were distributed to male and female dental and medical students (first and sixth year).

RESULTS

Across all groups, 60.86% of the responders have never been smokers, while the prevalence of smoking among the different groups was 28.84% for Year 1 dental students, 53.18% for Year 6 dental students, 39.58% for Year 1 medical students and 36.36% for Year 6 medical students. Unadjusted linear regressions showed significant linear relationships between average number of cigarettes smoked a day and average age when students started smoking (p < 0.05). Of Year 6 dental students, 41.30% have drunk at least once a week, compared with 24% of dental freshmen. The use of alcohol among males was significantly higher than in females (p < 0.0001). Unadjusted linear regressions showed significant linear relationships between frequency of smoking and alcohol consumption (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Both medical and dental students in Romania may benefit from preventive interventions in universities addressing the health risk behaviours of alcohol use and smoking.