A survey of pharmacy students' experiences with gambling.
OBJECTIVE
To assess gambling among pharmacy students using the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS).


METHODS
Six hundred fifty-eight pharmacy students enrolled at Creighton University were surveyed to determine the extent and characteristics of their gambling.


RESULTS
Four hundred eighty-eight students (74.2%) participated (mean age was 26.6 years and 63.4% were female). Almost two-thirds (63.1%) gambled at least once during the past 12 months. Slightly more than 16% (80) of students were identified as "at-risk" (SOGS scores of 1 to 2). Another 5% (24) were likely to be problem gamblers (SOGS scores of 3 to 4), while 1% of students were identified as probable pathological gamblers (SOGS scores > or = 5). Students who gambled were significantly more likely than non-gamblers to be single males. Gamblers with a score > or = 1were significantly more likely to report gambling had affected their relationships with others, compared to casual gamblers.


CONCLUSIONS
Gambling is a common activity among pharmacy students. While the incidence of problem gambling is relatively small, the percentage of our students who may be at-risk for gambling-related problems is noteworthy.
Elsasser
Gary N
GN
Creighton University Schools of Pharmacy and Health Professions and Medicine, 2500 California Plaza, Hixon-Lied Bldg Room 123, Omaha, Nebraska 68178, USA. elsasser@creighton.edu
Kavan
Michael G
MG
Westerman
Gary H
GH
Destache
Christopher J
CJ
Sexson
Emily
E
Turner
Paul D
PD
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D017533:Marital Status; D008403:Mass Screening; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D013339:Students, Pharmacy / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult