Alcohol abuse and dependence among Brazilian medical students: Association to sociodemographic variables, anxiety and depression

ABSTRACT

Background: Few data are available regarding the prevalence of alcohol abuse (AB) and alcohol dependence (AD) and their association with sociodemographic variables, anxiety and depression in medical students.Objectives: Estimate the prevalence of AB and AD and investigate their relation with sociodemographic variables, depression and anxiety in medical students.Methods: Structured questionnaires regarding alcohol use (AUDIT), depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7) were given to 659 medical students. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses.Results: The prevalence of AB and AD was, respectively, 28.4% and 15.6%. Multivariate analysis showed statistically significant higher rates of both conditions in men (AB: OR 2.54. AD: OR 2.32) and lower prevalence of these conditions among those in a relationship (AB: OR 0.55. AD: OR 0.43). AB was higher among those living with friends or in a university dorm (OR: 1.65). Prevalence was lower among those currently attending the second (AB: OR 0.48. AD: OR 0.36) and fourth (AB only: OR 0.35) years of medical school. A significant correlation between AD and depression (OR 1.74) was identified.Conclusions: The findings highlight the high prevalence of AB and AD in medical students and identify variables associated with these conditions.

KEYWORDS:

• Alcoholism
• depression
• anxiety
• medical students
• prevalence

Acknowledgments

This study received financial support from FUNADESP (National Foundation for the Development of Private University Education, grant n. 5100867).

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Foundation for the Development of Private University Education [5100867].