Second and third year medical students' self-reported alcohol and substance use, smoking habits and academic performance at a South African medical school
Vorster, Annelize; Gerber, Anthonie M; Van Der Merwe, Lynette J; Van Zyl, Sanet.
Health SA Gesondheid (Print)
; 24: 1-8, 2019. tab
Artículo
en Inglés
| AIM | ID: biblio-1262546
Background:
Health professional students frequently use alcohol and narcotics. The potential impact on academic performance and professional behaviour is concerning.Aim:
This study aimed to determine self-reported use of alcohol, illicit substances (e.g.cannabis, lysergic acid diethylamide [LSD], magic mushroom, cocaine, crack, ecstasy, methamphetamine and heroin), prescription medication and smoking habits, correlating academic performance.Setting:
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State.Methods:
An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study design was used. Information was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire, capturing demographics, self-reported academic performance, drinking and smoking habits, and substance use. Coded responses were analysed using the Remark Office OMR 8 Software System. Descriptive statistics were calculated for categorical variables.Results:
Completed questionnaires comprised 171 students. A total of 78.4% of second year and 82.8% of third year students reported using alcohol. Twenty-two per cent of second year and 24.1% of third year students reported cannabis use. In the second year group, three (2.7%) students reported using magic mushroom, two (1.8%) reported cocaine, two (1.8%) reported ecstasy and one (0.9%) reported using methamphetamine. Only third year students reported using LSD or 'crack'. Cigarette smoking was common 31.5% and 35.1% in both groups, respectively. Smokeless tobacco devices were used by 8.5% of second year and 7.1% of third year students. Almost 40% of both groups reported that they had smoked a water pipe. Academic performance achieved was mostly 60% 69% (38.9%) among second year students and 70% 79% (46.6%) among third year students.Conclusion:
Self-reported use of alcohol and drugs and smoking among medical students is alarming. Additional student support, early identification and referral for management and/or rehabilitation should be a priority at tertiary institutions responsible for training future healthcare professionals
Biblioteca responsable:
CG1.1
Texto completo
Documentos relacionados