Alcohol consumption in a sample of Italian healthcare workers: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Since previous evidence suggested a risky alcohol consumption among healthcare workers (HCW), this study aimed to investigate the patterns of alcohol use in a sample of HCWs in Italy, through the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Consumption (AUDIT-C). Overall, 639 HCWs participated in the study. 43.8% of them reported a score of 0 at AUDIT-C test. Drinkers were divided into “low-risk” and “at-/high-risk,” being respectively the 47.1% and 9.1% of the whole sample. There were significant differences between abstainers and drinkers, and between low-risk and at-/high-risk drinkers. In the multivariate logistic regression model, being younger, male, and physicians was associated with the profile of regular alcohol drinkers. A high risk AUDIT-C score was more likely in older and female HCWs. Briefly, this study confirmed the hypothesis of a risky level of drinking in HCWs. Educational preventive measures should be implemented to reduce alcohol consumption in this population.

Keywords:

• Alcohol
• hazardous drinking
• healthcare workers
• health service research
• occupational medicine
• preventive medicine

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank participant HCWs who generously contributed their time and information to this study.

Disclosure statement

Authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Luciana Albano

LA participated in the design of the study and in collecting the data, was responsible for data statistical analysis and interpretation, and wrote the article; PF was responsible for data analysis and interpretation, and wrote the article; FS collected the data; AA participated in the design of the study and was responsible for the data statistical analysis. All authors read the manuscript and gave the final approval of the version to be published.

Pietro Ferrara

LA participated in the design of the study and in collecting the data, was responsible for data statistical analysis and interpretation, and wrote the article; PF was responsible for data analysis and interpretation, and wrote the article; FS collected the data; AA participated in the design of the study and was responsible for the data statistical analysis. All authors read the manuscript and gave the final approval of the version to be published.

Francesco Serra

LA participated in the design of the study and in collecting the data, was responsible for data statistical analysis and interpretation, and wrote the article; PF was responsible for data analysis and interpretation, and wrote the article; FS collected the data; AA participated in the design of the study and was responsible for the data statistical analysis. All authors read the manuscript and gave the final approval of the version to be published.

Antonio Arnese

LA participated in the design of the study and in collecting the data, was responsible for data statistical analysis and interpretation, and wrote the article; PF was responsible for data analysis and interpretation, and wrote the article; FS collected the data; AA participated in the design of the study and was responsible for the data statistical analysis. All authors read the manuscript and gave the final approval of the version to be published.