engleski

Alcohol drinking habits in first year medical students at the University of Zagreb

Background In academic year 2007 and 2008, while attending Social medicine course, first year medical students completed questionnaire about health and social problems of youths. Methods Questionnaire was completed by 489 students, 149 male and 340 female. For the purpose of this paper, we analysed answers about alcohol drinking habits and behaviour, using descriptive statistical methods. The aim of the study was to investigate differences in alcohol consumption habits and behaviour between genders, and considering origin of students. Students that lived in Zagreb for more than 6 year were considered as representatives of metropolitan life style. Students that lived in Zagreb less than one year (those who lived out of Zagreb since they come to medical school) were considered as students from nonmetropolitan area. Those two categories encompassed 468 students. Results Out of 468 students, nonmetropolitan group encompassed 192 (41%) female, 85 (18 %) male, and metropolitan group 134 (29 %) female, and 57 (12 %) male students. Significant difference between genders (p= 0.0047) was found in nonmetropolitan group of students that have never dunk more than sip of alcohol, 26 female vs. 2 male students. At age 10 or less, out of home alcohol drank 3 (1.56%) female and 9 (10.71%) male nonmetropolitan students, 10 (7.52%) female and 2 (3.51%) male metropolitan students without significant differences. Considering students which regulary consume or have tasted alcohol, significant difference between genders was found in answer about excessive drinking: in total number 111 male vs. 180 female (p<0.001), nonmetropolitan 70 male vs. 101 female (p=0.0003), and metropolitan group of students 41 male vs. 79 female (p=0.0253) ; forgot where he/she was after alcohol consumption: in total number 35 male vs. 42 female (p=0.0042), nonmetropolitan 20 male vs. 22 female (p=0.033), and metropolitan group of students 15 male vs. 20 female (p=0.047). In nonmetropolitan group significant difference was found between genders in group of students who answered that he/she had done something to regret after alcohol consumption 37 male vs. 51 female (p=0.0338). Conclusions According general trends in behaviour of youth gender specific differences in alcohol drinking habits, mostly expressed in nonmetropolitan group of students, were expected. Alcohol consumption habits and behaviour of medical students required further studies, because of their future role as a health professionals who would deal with prevention and treatment of alcohol related risks and diseases.

medical students; drinking behaviour

nije evidentirano