BACKGROUND: Health professional students frequently use alcohol and narcotics. The potential impact on academic performance and professional behaviour is concerning. AIM: This study aimed to determine self-reported use of alcohol, illicit substances (e.g. cannabis, lysergic acid diethylamide [LSD], magic mushroom, cocaine, crack, ecstasy, methamphetamine and heroin), prescription medication and smoking habits, correlating academic performance. SETTING: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State. METHODS: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study design was used. Information was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire, capturing demographics, self-reported academic performance, drinking and smoking habits, and substance use. Coded responses were analysed using the Remark Office OMR 8 Software System. Descriptive statistics were calculated for categorical variables. RESULTS: Completed questionnaires comprised 171 students. A total of 78.4% of second year and 82.8% of third year students reported using alcohol. Twenty-two per cent of second year and 24.1% of third year students reported cannabis use. In the second year group, three (2.7%) students reported using magic mushroom, two (1.8%) reported cocaine, two (1.8%) reported ecstasy and one (0.9%) reported using methamphetamine. Only third year students reported using LSD or 'crack'. Cigarette smoking was common - 31.5% and 35.1% in both groups, respectively. Smokeless tobacco devices were used by 8.5% of second year and 7.1% of third year students. Almost 40% of both groups reported that they had smoked a water pipe. Academic performance achieved was mostly 60% - 69% (38.9%) among second year students and 70% - 79% (46.6%) among third year students. CONCLUSION: Self-reported use of alcohol and drugs and smoking among medical students is alarming. Additional student support, early identification and referral for management and/or rehabilitation should be a priority at tertiary institutions responsible for training future healthcare professionals.
In the second year group, three (2.7%) students reported the use of magic mushroom, two (1.8%) reported cocaine, two (1.8%) reported ecstasy and one (0.9%) reported methamphetamine use. None of the second year students reported lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) or 'crack' use. In the third year group, one (1.8%) student reported the use of magic mushroom, three (5.2%) reported the use of cocaine, one (1.8%) reported the use of ecstasy and two (3.5%) reported the use of methamphetamine. Three (5.2%) indicated the use of LSD and two (3.5%) reported the use of 'crack'.
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The occurrence of drug use among the second and third year students was 7.2% and 12.2%, respectively. These students reported using drugs such as magic mushroom, cocaine, ecstasy and methamphetamine, while five (8.8%) third year students reported using LSD or 'crack'. Four (2.3%) of the second and third year students also reported using glue and other solvents. Although these results are lower than figures reported in other international studies (Budhathoki et al. 2010; Drugwatch 2015), this reported risky behaviour in future healthcare professionals warrants intervention. 2ff7e9595c
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