Alcohol consumption among academics in the health area: implications for professional practice/Consumo de alcool entre academicos da area da saude: implicacoes para a pratica profissional/Consumo de alcohol entre estudiantes del campo de la salud: implicaciones para la practica profesional

This research aims to identify alcohol consumption patterns among biomedical academics and to discuss implications in their professional practice. Investigation included 53 academics in the health area from a public university in Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, in 2012 and data were analyzed on the basis of descriptive statistics. The sample is predominantly female, aging from 19 to 22 years, without partners or children, Evangelical/Protestant or Catholic. 51% reported using alcohol and 86.8% were identified in Zone I (abstainers or low risk). Signs of euphoria, increased outgoingness, and decreased thinking ability, reaching addiction, traffic accidents, and liver/gastric alterations were reported as side effects of alcohol. Internet sites and contact with friends were mentioned as sources of information, but 11% identified college networks. Thus, students must be prepared to discuss the topic, to approach that reality, and to have assistance in reflecting and changing their future individual and professional conduct.