Escola Anna Nery (Dec 2017)

Alcohol consumption and factors associated with binge drinking among female university students of health area

  • Ana Karina Rocha Hora Mendonça,
  • Carla Viviane Freitas de Jesus,
  • Maria Bernadete Galrão de Almeida Figueiredo,
  • Daisy Pereira Valido,
  • Marco Antonio Prado Nunes,
  • Sonia Oliveira Lima

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/2177-9465-ean-2017-0096
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 22, no. 1

Abstract

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Abstract Objective: To evaluate the pattern of alcohol consumption and the prevalence and factors associated with binge drinking among university students of health-related courses in Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed of 865 female students from two universities in the Brazilian Northeast. The instruments used were the AUDIT and a questionnaire used to collect sociodemographic data. The chi-square test and logistic regression were used, with statistical significance set at p-value < 0.05. Results: Risky alcohol consumption was evidenced in 16.4%, while the prevalence of binge drinking was 48.0%. Binge drinking was strongly associated with drunk driving (OR = 12.24) and living in a conflicting family environment (OR = 6.33). Binge drinking was a constant in students who engaged in fights, those who had problems with the law and among smokers. Conclusion: The high prevalence of risky alcohol consumption, binge drinking and the association of these with risky behaviors in students serve to guide future public policies on prevention.

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