Alcohol dependence and motivations for alcohol consumption in nursing students

Abstract

Introduction: alcohol dependence is a public health problem on which multiple groups of researchers have focused their attention since it mainly affects the young population, as it is the most consumed drug in the world due to its easy access, which makes it imperative to advance in the understanding of this phenomenon.Objective: to determine the dependence and relationship that exists with the motivation to consume alcohol in nursing students. Methods: non-experimental, quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional research, in a sample of 363 undergraduate nursing students from two university regions, using simple random probability sampling, applying the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Questionnaire (AUDIT) and the translation of the Drinking Motives Questionnaire-Revised (DMQ-R). Results: 47,4 % were 21 to 23 years old, 62,3 % were from urban areas; the largest number of students consumed occasionally (62,2 %) and 20,1 % were abstinent (women were the most frequent drinkers). The 97,2 % are motivated to consume alcohol and 0,3 % are highly motivated. Conclusions: there is dependence to alcohol consumption related to motivation in nursing students (rs=,697, p=<0,01). Therefore, it is necessary to implement interventions in prevention and health promotion, to limit access to the substance or reduce their intake patterns