Assessment of alcohol use in families of the suburbs of Guayaquil City, Ecuador, by nursing students

Abstract

The aim of this study was to present the demographic and alcohol use profiles of families assessed by nursing students during the Community and Family Nursing Program. This is a case study using The family assessment questionnaire as its data source, which was applied by nursing students to assess family health conditions, during their practical training. Family selection was by convenience according to risk indicators and poverty, assessed from the outside condition of the dwelling or from public health services records of the area. A questionnaire correlated with the one that students applied was prepared to obtain data. This instrument obtained information about the socioeconomic profile, family environment and alcohol consumption. The Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) was applied to families that reported alcohol use. Of the 128 families evaluated by students we found 47 families who reported alcohol consumption, these families answered AUDIT, the average total score was 10.66 which equates to risk level 2. The suggested intervention for this level of risk is simple counseling that can be offered by nurses in the primary health care.