Consumption of alcohol and risk perception among medical students

Background: Physicians play an important role in health education and are often expected to serve as role models for a healthy lifestyle. Physicians who lead an unhealthy lifestyle themselves might provide their patients with less effective advice on this topic than their more health-conscious colleagues. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess consumption of alcohol and risk perception among medical students attending the fifth year of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Catania and Trieste. Methods: Socio-demographic data and individual risk behaviour was collected by an anonymous self- administered questionnaire. Students were recruited during lectures. Results: 119 students aged 22 to 37 years responded to the questionnaire; more than 50% of the respondents were females. The majority of respondents consumed alcohol at least once per week; average daily alcohol consumption ranged from 4.7 g/d (F) to 8.2 g/d (M) (p<0,008). A significantly higher percentage of male (p < 0.05) reported hazardous or harmful drinking compared to female. 35.3% of all students indicated unhealthy alcohol-drinking behaviour (M:42.4%; F: 28.3%). 69.5% of students say they have driven a vehicle after have been drinking. Furthermore, 32.8% of the population claims to drive a motor vehicle and to get drunk over the last twelve months. Conclusions: Health care professionals should be supported in their position as role models for healthy lifestyle. Intensified education concerning healthy lifestyle coping with consumption of alcohol during medical school could help improve these habits in health care professionals and their patients. Future considerations will be made on the two groups separately. Keywords: medical students, alcohol consumption, risk behaviour