Alcohol consumption among health sciences students at the University of Monastir (Tunisia, 2014)

BACKGROUND: Studies conducted on characteristics of alcohol consumption and associated risk factors among health occupations students are scarce in the southern shore of the Mediterranean. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of alcohol use and misuse across a large sample of college students in Monastir university. METHODS: A cross sectional study was performed between April 2013 and September 2013. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was filled out by health occupations students from pharmacy, dentistry and medicine faculties .Data on socioeconomic characteristics and lifestyle were collected. Alcohol consumption patterns was studied via AUDIT-C and ADOPSA scales in order to assess respectively risky alcohol consumption and alcoholic disorder. RESULTS: A total of 974 students were included. The mean age of students was 22.8 years (SD = 2.2) with a male-female ratio of 0.43. The overall prevalence of alcohol consumption, risky alcohol consumption, alcoholic disorder were respectively 14.1% (95%) CI [12.2-16.5]; 52.5% (95%) CI [43.4-61.2] and 79.1% (95%) CI [71.9-85.6]. CONCLUSION: This study highlights that health occupations students are not speared from presenting unhealthy behaviors like alcohol use and misuse Although prevalence of alcohol consumption is low the risky patterns of this consumption is alarming. and higher than described in similar population in other countries.