Smoking and Alcohol Intake among Students in Medical College of South Western Region, Nepal

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: There is lack of data related to smoking and alcohol intake status with concomitant health and academic related problem to medical students. Hence this study is undertaken to compare smoking and alcohol intake habits among medical students from second to fourth year of their medical education.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A self-directed questionnaire on smoking and alcohol intake habits were distributed among students of second year to fourth year who were willing to participate in this study. All participants were told to fill questions regarding their past and current history of smoking and alcohol intake anonymously.  

RESULTS: Out of 300 participants comprising male 201 (67%) and female 99 (33 %) medical students, the smoker was

27 (9%) and alcoholic was 61 (20.33%). There were significantly high frequency of male smoker 24 (8%) and male alcoholic 43 (14.33%) as compared to female smoker 3 (1%) and female alcoholic 18 (6%) respectively. The frequency of smoking and alcohol intake among only male participants was found to be 11.91% and 21.39% which is comparable to frequency of only female participants 3.03% and 18.18% respectively. The average cigarette consumption before joining medical school was 2.83/day but after joining it has been increased to 5.15/day. Similarly, the average alcohol intake in one sitting was observed 689.26ml after joining medical college. The average cage questionnaire score for smoker and alcoholic were 0.96 and 1.0 respectively depending on positive response.  

CONCLUSION: The high frequency of smoking and alcohol intake among medical students can create havoc in social, health and academic matters. The male students were observed to be more abused in such type of habit as compared to female counterpart. But it is equally important to be noted that the significant less number of female participants and social boundaries for getting cigarette and alcohol might have obscured the actual frequency of their abuse to smoke and alcohol intake. Hence, the health institution should made awareness campaign to the medical students earlier from their entry to the medical school.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jucms.v2i4.12038

Journal of Universal College of Medical Sciences (2014) Vol.02 No.04 Issue 08

Page: 19-23