Alcohol consumption in a sample of Italian healthcare workers: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Since previous evidence suggested a risky alcohol consumption among healthcare workers (HCW), this study aimed to investigate the patterns of alcohol use in a sample of HCWs in Italy, through the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Consumption (AUDIT-C). Overall, 639 HCWs participated in the study. 43.8% of them reported a score of 0 at AUDIT-C test. Drinkers were divided into "low-risk" and "at-/high-risk," being respectively the 47.1% and 9.1% of the whole sample. There were significant differences between abstainers and drinkers, and between low-risk and at-/high-risk drinkers. In the multivariate logistic regression model, being younger, male, and physicians was associated with the profile of regular alcohol drinkers. A high risk AUDIT-C score was more likely in older and female HCWs. Briefly, this study confirmed the hypothesis of a risky level of drinking in HCWs. Educational preventive measures should be implemented to reduce alcohol consumption in this population.

Keywords: Alcohol; hazardous drinking; health service research; healthcare workers; occupational medicine; preventive medicine.