Epidemiological aspects of tobacco, alcohol and Internet use addictions among Physical Education and Sport Faculty students from Timişoara, Romania

• Main Authors: Gligor Šerban, Koroiu Felicia, Petrakovšči Simona, Negrea Kristian, Amanar-Tabara Simona, Voiku Sorinel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Belgrade, Faculty of Sport and Physical Education 2011-01-01
• Series: Fizička Kultura
• Subjects: addiction; tobacco; alcohol; internet
• Online Access: http://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/0350-3828/2011/0350-38281102042G.pdf

The purpose of this paper is the epidemiological analysis of alcohol, tobacco and Internet use addiction data among Physical Education and Sport Faculty students of the West University, Timisoara, Romania. Epidemiological investigation was conducted in May 2010 on a group of 79 students, using standardized questionnaires (CAGE, FAGERSTRÖM, AUDIT, INTERNET addiction questionnaire). Of the total students number enrolled in research, 77.22% responded to the questionnaires, with a mean age of 21.1 ± 2.252 (age limits are between 19 and 33 years), the majority (67.21%) were male and in the first year of study. Statistical data analysis was done using IBM SPSS 17.0 program, being considered statistically significant values of p <0.01.In the CAGE questionnaire case 21.31% of students were identified with positive screening test, the majority (11.48%) were male and came from the first year (16.39%). FAGERSTRÖM questionnaire reveals a score of 2.76 ± 2.917 for the first year and 0.96 ± 2.121 for the third year. INTERNET addiction questionnaire reveals a score of 22.03 ± 13.16 in the first year and 15.28 ± 22.96 in the third year. AUDIT questionnaire revealed an average score of 3.45 ± 3.652 in the first year and 2.74 ± 3.048 in the third year. After comparing the INTERNET use, AUDIT and FAGERSTRÖM questionnaires results, between the first and third years of study, we obtained a p> 0.01 (statistically insignificant), and when comparing CAGE questionnaire results, we obtained a statistically significant p (p = 0.01). After analyzing the data obtained through questionnaires, we observed a predominant use of all types of addictions (alcohol, tobacco, and Internet use) among first year students and at male gender.