Assessment of alcohol and other drug use behaviors in health professions students. |
| |
Authors: | Jeffrey N Baldwin David M Scott Sangeeta Agrawal Jean K Bartek R Ellen Davis-Hall Thomas P Reardon Edward M DeSimone |
| |
Affiliation: | College of Pharmacy, The University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-2135, USA. jbaldwin@unmc.edu |
| |
Abstract: | Alcohol and other drug (AOD) use behaviors of health professions students (HPS) were assessed by surveying both university-based HPS and other nursing programs in a Midwestern state in 1999. Response was 2,646 (56.4%) of surveyed students. Family history of alcohol-related and drug-related problems were reported by 39.8% and 13.9%, respectively, with 42.6% of respondents reporting one or both. Among nursing respondents, 48.1%, 19.2% and 51.1%, respectively, reported family problems with alcohol, drugs, or one or both. Past-year alcohol use was comparable to undergraduate college students (UCS) nationally (83%); heavy drinking, tobacco and recreational drug use by HPS were lower. Past year drug use was highest among medical students. Marijuana was the predominant illicit drug; medical students and males most often reported use. Health professions educational systems should proactively address student AOD prevention, education and assistance needs. |
| |
Keywords: | |
|
|