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Izvestia Journal of the Union of Scientists - Varna. Medicine and Ecology Series

Alcohol consumption among students of health specialties

Petya Boncheva, Klara Dokova

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study is to determine the prevalence and specific characteristics of the behavior related to alcohol consumption among students of health specialties in Bulgaria. Methods: A survey was conducted among students of Bulgarian-language health specialties at a medical university in Bulgaria. A convenience sample was used and the questionnaire, prepared as a Google form, was distributed with the assistance of the student council through the internet platform of the student’s organization. The following characteristics were analyzed: frequency of alcohol consumption, frequency of getting drunk, and motives for alcohol consumption by the participants.

Results: A total of 570 students from 17 majors at the university participated in the study. The sample represented 10% of all Bulgarian-speaking students in the university. Females predominated, 88.6% (n = 505), and the mean age of participants was 24 years (SD ±7.65). A statistically significant difference was found in the prevalence of alcohol consumption by gender—76.9% of all men and 50.1% of women reported drinking alcohol. One third of the respondents (34%) got drunk at least once in the last month. The students from the specialties medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy reported a higher frequency of alcohol consumption.

Conclusion: The results of the study reveal the need for action and policy aiming to change attitudes, culture, and environment that tolerate the permanent establishment of unhealthy habits and behaviors among future health professionals.


Keywords

prevalence, alcohol use, students, health specialties, Bulgaria

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14748/isuvsme.v28i1.9319

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