Authors

María Dolores Rubio Calvo de Mora

Position

Estudiante de 3º Enfermería de la Universidad Europea de Madrid.

Contact email: legans2004@hotmail.com

Abstract

Introduction: in Spain, alcohol consumption is a common event. Over the past decades some myths and beliefs with no scientific basis have been established through the “popular culture”, especially in the adolescent population.
Objectives: get to know which myths in relation to alcohol are kept alive among the university population; detect the credibility between young people in some hangover remedies and measures to reduce the toxic effect of alcohol.
Material and methods: voluntary survey in february 2009 of a random sample of students from various university schools in the Universidad Europea de Madrid. The following variables were included: age, sex and studies being undertaken and a series of ideals (myths or beliefs related to alcohol) that should be marked as true or false.
Results: 89 surveys were conducted. Average age: 21,4 (range 18-28), males 74,2%. Studies conducted: Computer science: 22,5%; Business: 19,1%; Architecture: 34,8% and Exercise and Sports Science: 23,6%. The majority of respondents (over 70%) incorrectly believed that mixing different drinks increased the toxic effect of alcohol and that men tolerate alcohol better than women. Among treatments alter having drank alcohol, the most popular ones were water and fruit juices and taking medicines such as: ibuprofen, vitamin B₁₂ or omeprazole.
Conclusions: popular culture maintains the myths about alcohol consumption; there are new beliefs, in particular, the role of some drugs in reducing the impact on acute alcohol intoxication.

Keywords:

alcohol; Myths; alcohol intoxicationhangover

Versión en Español

Título:

Mitos en relación con el consumo de alcohol en población universitaria