Assessment of alcohol use in health professionals during the economic crisis

Br J Nurs. 2016 Apr;25(7):396-8, 400-5. doi: 10.12968/bjon.2016.25.7.396.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the use of alcohol in health professionals during the economic crisis in Greece. The sample included 579 health professionals. Despite the fact that alcohol consumption was low and women held more negative views on the effectiveness of its use compared to men, they consumed more than men both in quantity (mean 1.57 vs 1.46, p=0.291) and in frequency (mean 1.98 vs 1.73, p=0.132). Employees with a higher level of education expressed more opposition to the use of alcohol than those with a basic level of education (93.5% vs 66.7%, p=0.004). There was a significant positive correlation between the amount of alcohol consumed after a stressful event and the frequency with which this amount of alcohol consumption occurred in workers.

Keywords: Abuse; Alcohol; Healthcare workers; Work stress.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alcohol Drinking / epidemiology*
  • Economic Recession*
  • Female
  • Greece / epidemiology
  • Health Personnel / psychology
  • Health Personnel / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Stress, Psychological / epidemiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult