Alcohol consumption patterns of university students of health sciences.

Aim: To describe the alcohol drinking patterns and binge drinking episodes (BDE) in a sample of Health Science students, as well as identify associated factors.

Method: It is a descriptive study, in which sociodemographic variables and a weekly alcohol consumption diary recording the number of standard drinking units consumed at different times of the day are collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire.

Results: 286 students (66.1% women) from Cadiz University (193 Medical students and 93 Nursing students), with a mean age of 21.1 (SD 2.8) years, took part in this study. Forty-four point 8percent of the students live with their families. Sixty-five point 7percent of the students drank alcohol in the previous week, this was more usual in the males. The weekly alcohol consumption pattern was 74.5% for low-risk alcohol consumption, 21% for moderate-risk and 4.5% for a high-risk consumption. Thirty-three point 9percent had 1-2 BDE over the previous week apart from their weekly consumption pattern. Twenty-six point 6percent of the students who were emancipated had moderate-risk consumption, 8.2% had a high-risk consumption and 41.8% had a binge drinking episode. There were statistically significant associations between the weekly consumption pattern regarding sex, habitual residence and BDE variables.

Conclusions: More than half the students had taken alcohol the previous week, mainly at weekends. The high prevalence of BDE is highlighted. We propose enhancing early detection and prevention campaigns in this population.