title: [A study to evaluate the lifestyle of medical students in Palermo (Italy)].
abstract: Scientific evidence confirms that unhealthy life habits play an important role in the development of many disorders in all age groups. This study evaluated the lifestyles of 445 first-year medical students in Palermo and Caltanissetta (Italy) by using an anonymous self-administered multiple choice questionnaire Approximately 97% of participants believe that a healthy diet is either "very important" or "extremely important" but only 44% follow a healthy diet. Fifty eight percent frequently perform sports/physical activities while eight percent report being sedentary. A peak in alcohol consumption was found to generally occur in one single day of the week. Twelve percent of those interviewed report smoking regularly (14% males vs 11% females) and 23% report using or having made use of cannabinoids (32%males vs 16% females). The percentage of regular smokers who use cannabinoids was found to be 68%. A higher percentage of males with respect to females reports having had occasional sex (29% vs 5%). According to 69% of interviewed students, AIDS is the most frequent sexually transmitted infection (STD). Only 1.6% believe that genital warts are the most frequent STD. These results suggest that implementing pre-university courses regarding lifestyles and how these affect health may positively influence students' life habits and lead them to healthier life styles.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Igiene e Microbiologia G. D'Alessandro Scuola di Specializzazione in Igiene e Medicina Preventiva.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cerame
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Meli
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vitale
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Firenze
authors.forename: Enza
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Viviano
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mazzucco
authors.forename: Nino
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Romano
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking; D013177:Sports; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires