Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the practice and frequency of binge drinking (BD) among medical students at a Brazilian public university and its association with self-report of negative consequences and violence.

Methods: Cross-sectional study, carried out between June and December 2018 with 1,470 university students. Alcohol consumption was measured by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Descriptive and comparative analysis were performed using Pearson's Chi-square and Poisson Regression with robust variance to estimate prevalence ratios in the SPSS software.

Results: The prevalence of BD was 73.3% among drinkers and 62.3% (N = 904) in the entire sample (56.3% in males, 43.7% in females). 41.1% of students practiced BD occasionally and 21.2% frequently. Almost all negative consequences were associated with the practice of BD, except for thinking about ending one's life and attempting suicide (p-value > 0.05). The following remained associated with the practice of BD: the occurrence of falls (PR = 1.08; CI = 1.01 - 1.16), difficulties in sexual relations (PR = 1.15; CI = 1.08 - 1.23), having unprotected sex (RP = 1.23; CI = 1.15 - 1.32), aggressiveness (RP = 1.17; CI = 1.09 - 1.24) and missing classes/shifts (RP = 1.17; CI = 1.09 - 1.25). All situations of risk and violence evaluated were more prevalent among students who practice BD, particularly among those who use it frequently.

Conclusion: Given the high prevalence of BD among medical students studied, it is recommended to adopt health education and harm reduction strategies.

Keywords: Alcohol; Binge Drinking; Medical Students; College Students; Alcohol-Related Injuries; Violence

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