Consumo de marihuana en estudiantes de medicina en Uruguay y su asociación con tabaquismo / Marijuana Use among Medical Students in Uruguay and its Association with Smoking

Objetivos: Evaluar la prevalencia de consumo de tabaco y cannabis entre estudiantes de medicina, asociación entre ambos consumos y conocimiento del abordaje de los mismos. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y analítico. Los estudiantes respondieron un cuestionario anónimo de autorreporte. Las variables fueron edad, sexo, consumo de tabaco, marihuana, frecuencia de consumo, instrucción en el abordaje de consumo de tabaco y THC y si consideran nocivo el consumo. Resultados: Consumieron tabaco en los últimos 12 meses el 29.6% y alguna vez en la vida 63.5%.Consumieron marihuana en los últimos 12 meses el 30.8% y alguna vez en la vida el 50%. Existió una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre consumo de tabaco y marihuana. Se encontró una relación estadísticamente significativa entre formación en marihuana y tabaco, y el consumo alguna vez en la vida. No se encontró relación entre formación y consumo en los últimos 12 meses, de marihuana ni tampoco de tabaco. No existió asociación estadísticamente significativa entre concepto de nocividad y consumo alguna vez. Conclusiones: A pesar del concepto de nocividad del consumo de marihuana en estudiantes de medicina es relativamente común. El consumo de tabaco podría predisponer al consumo de marihuana. Debemos insistir en la formación de los estudiantes de medicina en abordaje y manejo de los pacientes consumidores de marihuana.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of tobacco and cannabis consumption among medical students, the association between tobacco/ cannabis use and the students' instruction in the management of tobacco/cannabis use. Materials and Methods: We conducted a descriptive, analytical study. The students answered an anonymous self-report questionnaire. The variables were: age, gender, tobacco and marijuana consumption, frequency of consumption, instruction in the management of tobacco and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) use and whether they consider such consumption as harmful. Results: 29.6% of students consumed tobacco in the last 12 months, and 63.5% at least once in their lives. 30.8% consumed marijuana in the last 12 months, and 50% at least once in their lives. There was a statistically significant association between tobacco and marijuana consumption. We found a statistically significant relationship between the students' instruction in marijuana and tobacco and marijuana/tobacco consumption at least once in their lives. We didn't find any relationship between their instruction in marijuana and tobacco and marijuana/tobacco consumption in the last 12 months. There wasn't a statistically significant association between the concept of harmfulness and use of marijuana/tobacco at least once in their lives. Conclusions: Despite the concept of harmfulness related to the use of marijuana, it is relatively common among medical students. The use of tobacco could predispose the individual to use marijuana. We must insist on instructing medical students in how to approach and manage patients who consume marijuana.

Marijuana Use among Medical Students in Uruguay and its Association with Smoking

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of tobacco and cannabis consumption among medical students, the association between tobacco/ cannabis use and the students' instruction in the management of tobacco/cannabis use. Materials and Methods: We conducted a descriptive, analytical study. The students answered an anonymous self-report questionnaire. The variables were: age, gender, tobacco and marijuana consumption, frequency of consumption, instruction in the management of tobacco and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) use and whether they consider such consumption as harmful. Results: 29.6% of students consumed tobacco in the last 12 months, and 63.5% at least once in their lives. 30.8% consumed marijuana in the last 12 months, and 50% at least once in their lives. There was a statistically significant association between tobacco and marijuana consumption. We found a statistically significant relationship between the students' instruction in marijuana and tobacco and marijuana/tobacco consumption at least once in their lives. We didn't find any relationship between their instruction in marijuana and tobacco and marijuana/tobacco consumption in the last 12 months. There wasn't a statistically significant association between the concept of harmfulness and use of marijuana/tobacco at least once in their lives. Conclusions: Despite the concept of harmfulness related to the use of marijuana, it is relatively common among medical students. The use of tobacco could predispose the individual to use marijuana. We must insist on instructing medical students in how to approach and manage patients who consume marijuana.