Family Medicine & Medical Science Research
Open Access

Abstract

Alcohol Use by Brazilian College Students

Maria do Carmo de Carvalho e Martins, Camila Maria Arruda Vilanova, Ingrid Lara do Nascimento F. de Carvalho, Manoel Dias de Souza Filho, Lilian Gomes de Sousa, Francisco Teixeira Andrade, Thiago Luz Santos, Regina Célia de Assis

During college, there is an increase in alcohol consumption by students.

Objective: The aim of this study is to draw an epidemiologic profile of university students who consume alcohol and identify the prevalence of alcohol abuse among them through CAGE questionnaire.

Methods: This study was a descriptive, cross-sectional study with a sample of students enrolled at the Federal University of Piaui-Brazil.

Results: The prevalence of alcohol consumption was very high (91.1%), as well as the prevalence of alcohol abuse evaluated through the CAGE-questionnaire. The age group that had the highest ratio of alcohol consumers was between 20 and 24 years old, and students of the agriculture sciences center had the highest ratio of alcohol consumption (95%). The main reasons to drink, reported by the students, were their curiosity and influence of friends. Furthermore, 33.9% of the university students drink alcoholic beverage before reaching sixteen years old.

Conclusion: The high prevalence of alcohol consumption was alarming and claims to the attention of the government. It should be drawn an educational program regarding the danger of alcohol use.