[Alcohol consumption among primary care doctors]

Aten Primaria. 2001 Sep 15;28(4):259-62. doi: 10.1016/s0212-6567(01)78944-5.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Objective: To find the personal alcohol consumption of primary care (PC) doctors.

Design: Observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study.

Setting: All the PC doctors in our region.

Participants: 486 doctors, excluding paediatricians.

Material: Closed, anonymous and self-administered survey, divided into two sections: a) social and demographic and work variables (7 items); b) Questionnaire on personal alcohol consumption (4 questions).

Measurements and interventions: Descriptive analysis and simple correlations.

Results: 227 valid surveys were obtained (47.7% participation rate). A) Social and demographic and work variables: 67.6% were male, with 63.9% between 36 and 45 years old. 55.3% worked in a mixed health centre, 54.4% with tenure. > 40 patients/day (46.6%) demanded care. 82.1% were married. Two-child family units predominated (44.4%). B) Questionnaire on personal consumption of alcohol: 75.7% of the professionals who answered the questionnaire said they were consumers, with "occasionally" the most common pattern of consumption (32.33%). In 63.3% the starting age was between 16 and 20. Beer was the most common kind of drink. In general, consumption predominated in male professionals (78%). However, excess/risk consumption was proportionally higher in women (27.7%).

Conclusions: a) Alcohol consumption among the doctors surveyed is similar to that found in the general population. b) Risk consumption is higher among women doctors.

Objetivos: Conocer el consumo personal de alcohol de los médicos de atención primaria (AP).

Diseño: Observacional, descriptivo y transversal.

Ámbito de estudio. Todos los médicos de AP de nuestra región.

Sujetos: Un total de 486 médicos, excluidos pediatras.

Material: Encuesta cerrada, anónima y autoadministrada, dividida en dos apartados: a) variables sociodemográficas y laborales (7 ítems), y b) cuestionario de consumo personal de alcohol (4 preguntas).

Mediciones e intervenciones: Análisis descriptivo y correlaciones simples.

Resultados: Se obtuvieron 227 encuestas válidas (tasa de participación del 47,7%). A) Variables sociodemográficas y laborales: un 67,6% era varón de 36–45 años (63,9%). El 55,3% trabajaba en un centro de salud mixto, siendo un 54,4% propietario. Presentan una demanda > 40 pacientes/día (46,6%). Un 82,1% era casado. Predominaban las unidades familiares de 2 hijos (44,4%). B) Cuestionario de consumo personal de alcohol: un 75,7% de los profesionales que contestaron al cuestionario se declaró consumidor, siendo el patrón de consumo más frecuente «ocasionalmente» (32,33%). La edad de inició en el 63,3% correspondió a 16–20 años. El tipo de bebida más frecuente es la cerveza. El consumo, en general, predomina en el profesional varón (78%); sin embargo, su consumo excesivo/de riesgo es mayor porcentualmente en la profesional mujer (27,7%).

Conclusiones: a) El consumo de alcohol entre los profesionales encuestados es similar al de la población general, y b) el consumo de riesgo predomina en el profesional femenino.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alcohol Drinking / epidemiology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Physicians / statistics & numerical data*
  • Primary Health Care