Alcohol use: prevalence and associated factors in a sample of Tunisian students

• Published in: European psychiatry 2023-03, Vol.66 (S1), p.S673-S674
• Main Authors: Ben Soussia, R., Faouel, N., Bouali, W., Gharbi, E., Ben Fredj, M., Zarrouk, L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alcohol use; Questionnaires; Students
• ISSN: 0924-9338; 1778-3585
• DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2023.1406

IntroductionThe use of alcohol, in particular its harmful use and alcohol dependence, represent a public health problem of interest to all age groups. Indeed, alcohol is responsible for a heavy burden of disease and a considerable socio-economic burden.ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence of alcohol use and the main factors associated with it in a sample of Tunisian students.MethodsThis is an analytical cross-sectional study carried out during the 2020/2021 academic year with a sample of Tunisian students. We used an anonymous self-administered questionnaire distributed online via social networks. Our questionnaire included a section focusing on socio-demographic characteristics and the AUDIT test (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) to detect alcohol addiction.ResultsOur study enrolled 772 students .The average age of the study population was 23.29 ±3.25.Two hundred ninety-nine students (38.7%) consumed alcohol. The mean age at first use was 18.44 (3.09). Fifty-two alcohol users (17.4%) presented a risk of alcohol dependence. The first consumption contexts were mostly “between friends” (57.4%) and “party time “(23.5%).The main effects sought were the effect of disinhibition (64.5%) and social integration (41.1%) were predominant responses. The determining factors of alcohol consumption were age (p