Second and third year medical students’ self-reported alcohol and substance use, smoking habits and academic performance at a South African medical school
Health SA Gesondheid September 18, 2019 Annelize Vorster, Anthonie M. Gerber, Lynette J. van der Merwe et al. 21 citations
Among 171 health sciences students at the University of the Free State, alcohol and cannabis use were common, with 78.4% of second-year and 82.8% of third-year students reporting alcohol use, and 22% and 24.1% respectively reporting cannabis use. Smaller numbers reported using magic mushroom, cocaine, ecstasy, methamphetamine, LSD, or crack. Cigarette smoking was reported by about a third of students, and nearly 40% had smoked a water pipe. Academic performance mostly fell in the 60-79% range. The authors suggest that such substance use among future healthcare professionals is alarming and call for early identification and support.