[Alcohol intake and tobacco smoking among students of medical schools].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

To determine the level of alcohol intake (including risky drinking) and tobacco smoking among students of higher medical schools, as well as the level of students' knowledge about epidemiology and consequences of alcohol abuse.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was conducted in 2010-2012 and involved 1054 students of medical school. The majority of the participants were female (82.3%). Average age of respondents was 25.13 years (SD = 6.64, median = 24). The questionnaire was to determine the students' knowledge of alcohol abuse, short version of AUDIT and questions about tobacco smoking.

RESULTS

The average 100% alcohol intake in Poland was correctly identified by 32.0% (318) of students. The alcohol level in blood which indicates the state after alcohol intake was correctly determined by 57.2% (571) of respondents. Tobacco was the choice of 13.8% (138) of students as the main health risk factor and cause of premature deaths in Europe, alcohol was chosen by 17.8% (177). Cirrhosis was recognized correctly by 52% of students (521) as the most frequent disease caused by alcohol in European men. Regarding the question about the biochemical indicators helpful in diagnostics of alcohol abuse only 27.6% (275) indicated correctly: MCV and GGT. In short version of AUDIT 32.2% (238) of women gained 4 points and above, 56.2% (91) of men gained 5 points and above. Among women: 3.5% (28) have 14 and above standardized portions of an alcoholic drinks during week. Among men: 6.5% (11) have 28 and above standardized portions of an alcoholic drinks during week. Non-smokers represent 20.6% (205) of respondents. A majority (39.4%, 82) indicate they smoke not more than 5 cigarettes per day. The students first began smoking in secondary (21.7%, 45) and high school (45.9%, 95). Smokers statistically significantly more often (p<0.001) drink alcohol. More than four times higher percentage of smokers (10.0% vs 2.3% non-smokers) drink in a day when they drink 10 or more standardized portions of an alcoholic drink (p<0.001). Those who drink at least once a month drink 6 standardized portions of an alcoholic drink statistically significantly more often (p<0.001)were smokers (21.8% vs 10.8% non-smokers). Smokers were more than four times more likely (13.4%) than non-smokers (3.2%) to drink 6 standardized portions of an alcoholic drink once a week. During the majority of weekdays, 6 standardized portions of an alcoholic drink were taken by 2.48% (5) of smokers (vs 0% non-smokers).

CONCLUSIONS

A high percentage of students in medical schools drink riskily. Especially the risky drinking was observed among smoking students. The level of knowledge gained by respondents about alcohol abuse is still insufficient. Programs that promote avoiding tobacco smoking and alcohol abuse are necessary among children during the first years of education (in primary school and earlier).