RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Do we need to promote healthy behaviors among medical students? - A cross sectional study
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP PA1186
DO 10.1183/13993003.congress-2015.PA1186
VO 46
IS suppl 59
A1 Sofia Ravara
A1 Daniela Faria
A1 Irma Brito
YR 2015
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/46/suppl_59/PA1186.abstract
AB Aims: to evaluate and compare tobacco and other health behaviour risks between younger medical students and finalists; to assess associations between smoking and health behaviour risks. Setting: Medical school, UBI, Portugal.Methods: questionnaire-based cross-sectional study; 66.7% participation rate.Results: Participants: 365 students (154 finalists); 72.9% females; mean age: 21.3 ±2.8 years. Smoking prevalence was 23.5 % among younger students (9.1% daily smokers); 20.1 % among finalists (4.5% daily smokers), p=0.24; 28.1% in males and 20.0% in females, p = 0.019. Males reported more frequent daily smoking (13.5% vs 4.9 %, p = 0.019); higher rates of abusive alcohol consumption (41.4% vs 16.3%, p<0.001); and cannabis use (ever users: 29.6 vs 16.7, p<0.001). Younger students reported significantly higher and earlier consumption of alcohol and cannabis. Psychoactive drugs and tranquilizers use was low; significantly higher among smokers, females and finalists. Most students reported sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet independently of age. Females reported lower stress-copying ability and lower sleep quality. Smokers reported more often unhealthy diet, abusive or binge drinking, and cannabis use. Smoking was associated with cannabis use (aOR: 9.84 ; 95% CI :3.94 – 24.58 , p < 0.001), and alcohol risk consumption (aOR : 6.51; 95% CI :3.39 – 12.50 , p < 0.001).Conclusions: Medical students report high smoking prevalence, high rate of abusive alcohol consumption and unhealthy lifestyles. Health behavior risks are associated, highlighting the need to implement health promotion programs targeting multiple risk factors to prevent smoking and alcohol consumption in medical schools.