Les conduites alcooliques chez les étudiants infirmiers de Sousse

Abstract

Alcohol behavior is common in young people and especially among students who are more vulnerable to social and economic changes. However, studies in Tunisia remain few. ObjectivesThe aims of our study were to investigate the prevalence of alcohol and to assess sociodemographic and clinical associated factors in a group of nursing students. Materials and methodsWe conducted this study with 266 students enrolled at the Higher Institute of Nursing Sousse for a period of 3 months. We administered to them an anonymous questionnaire exploring the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. To explore their alcohol behavior, we used Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). It is an instrument frequently used in international studies, it evaluated alcohol behavior in the last 12 months. Subjects with an AUDIT score above 13 are alcohol-dependent. ResultsThe mean AUDIT score was 3.5±2.7. Alcoholic consumption risk was found in 12 % of cases and 11.7 % of nurse students were dependant. Associated factors statistically correlated with high alcohol consumption were age (r=0.13; P=0.026), male gender (P<10−3), university repeating (P=0.029) and past history of personal depressive disorders (P=0.002). ConclusionsThe prevalence of alcohol dependence in nurse students was 12 %. Factors associated with high alcohol consumption were age, male gender, university repeating and past history of personal depressive disorders. Prevention of alcoholic behavior among students needs to develop adapted prevention programs to better educate them against the harmful risks of alcohol.