Abstract:
AIM: - To study the knowledge, attitudes and practices of first year students at UCC regarding parental and person alcohol use. OBJECTIVES: -To obtain demographic data on the students and to compare the children of alcoholics with the children of non-alcoholics to determine if any differences existed between the two groups.
METHOD: - A questionnaire administered at the start of a lecture. RESULTS: -The students had a good knowledge of alcohol abuse and its causes. The majority was drinking within safe limits, had started drinking while still at school and obtained most of their knowledge about alcohol from their peers. The children of alcoholics felt more at risk of developing a drinking problem and chose careers in arts and food science in preference to others.
RECOMMENDATIONS: - Education should take place at school with parental involvement. Special attention should be paid to the children of alcoholics, as they are high-risk.
