Attitude of medical students to alcohol and nicotine

Aim. To determine the attitude of medical students to alcohol and nicotine. Methods. An anonymous survey of 118 5th year students (43 male students, 75 female students; mean age 22.6±0.9 years) of Irkutsk State Medical University was conducted. A self-composed questionnaire allowing to evaluate the students’ attitude to alcohol and nicotine was used. No cases of turndown were observed. Results. 17 (39.5%) out of 43 male students and 31 (41.3%) out of 75 female students were active smokers. 29.4% male students and 58.1% female students smoked up to 5 cigarettes per day, 58.8 and 38.7% - 5 to 10 cigarettes per day, 11.8 and 3.2% - over 10 cigarettes per day, accordingly. The majority of students (88.2% amle and 70.9% female students) smoked «light» cigarettes, 11.8 and 29.1% - «superlight». 25 (58.1%) male students and 47 (62.7%) female students reported that they were alcohol takers. Most of male students (84%) were drinking beer, most of female students (74.5%) - wine. 96% male and 36.2% female students took strong spirits. 17 (39.6%) male and 22 (29.3%) reported episodes of partial amnesia after alcohol consumption. 5 (20%) out of 25 male and 16 (34%) out of 47 female students reported they would like to reduce their alcohol consumption. Conclusion. The study showed that alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking is a rather common in the respondents; this problem requires further study.

medical students, alcohol consumption, smoking, medical and sociological research