The Hidden Menace: Analyzing Alcohol Abuse and Risk Factors in Medical Students
TL;DR
The study shows that among medical students, risky drinking habits and high-risk AUDIT scores are alarmingly common, highlighting the critical need for medical schools to establish regular, private screening and easily accessible mental health services in order to protect students' health and professional standards.
Abstract
: Background: Due to high baseline academic stress, frequent peer socialization, and decreased parental supervision, medical students represent a particularly vulnerable demographic when it comes to alcohol consumption among young adults, which is a major global public health concern. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence, consumption trends, and related risk factors of alcohol use among interns and undergraduate medical students. Materials and Methods: 114 undergraduate medical students and interns at the Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences "Deemed to be a University" (KIMSDU), Karad, Maharashtra, India, participated in a convenience sample cross-sectional observational study. A digital, semi-structured questionnaire disseminated via online channels was used to gather data. The standardized 10-item World Health Organization Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scale, behavioral factors, and sociodemographic indicators were all included in the evaluation. For inferential statistical analysis, chi-square tests were employed, and p < 0.05$ was deemed statistically significant. Results: The results showed that the majority of participants (n = 84) preferred English liquors, with hard liquor being the preferred option (n = 45). While celebrations (n = 63) and curiosity (n = 60) drove initial consumption, enjoyment/recreation (n = 72) and managing academic stress (n = 27) drove continued use. 51 individuals were categorized as low risk, 51 as risky, 9 as harmful, and 18 as severe based on AUDIT risk stratification. Parental awareness (p = 0.2683), monthly spending (p = 0.07), and initial drinking triggers (p = 0.3579) did not significantly correlate with AUDIT risk scores, according to inferential analysis. In conclusion, the study shows that among medical students, risky drinking habits and high-risk AUDIT scores are alarmingly common. These results highlight the critical need for medical schools to establish regular, private screening and easily accessible mental health services in order to protect students' health and professional standards.