A study to assess the knowledge of psychiatric aspects of alcohol use disorders in medical students

Abstract

Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of psychiatric aspects of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) in medical students. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in Mamata Medical College, Khammam, Telangana, from June 2014 to May 2015. The study sample consisted of 180 medical students (115 final year and 65 interns), who agreed to answer the Knowledge of Psychiatric Aspects of Alcohol Questionnaire (KPAAQ) anonymously, indicating their gender, year of study and whether they had attended any lecture or workshop on alcohol. KPAAQ consists of 50 questions of 6 clinically relevant categories. Each response to 50 questions of the KPAAQ was assessed. Each correct response was awarded 2 points, thereby, yielding a possible range from 0 to 100 points. Results: The mean knowledge score in medical students was 44.53 (standard deviation = 11.23) without any significant differences (t = 1.171; P > 0.05) between final year students and interns, while the mean knowledge score was significantly more in 74 male students when compared to 106 female students (46.62 ± 10.58; 43.07 ± 11.49) (t = 2.103; P < 0.037). Conclusions: Irrespective of their year of study. Knowledge of psychiatric aspects of AUDs in medical students was inadequate.

Keywords

• alcohol use disorders
• knowledge
• medical students