Background The potentially harmful consequences of alcohol use among undergraduates have become a growing concern in recent years. Objectives This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hazardous use of alcohol in this population and to identify demographic and psychosocial factors associated with this pattern of consumption. Methods This was a cross-sectional study using an anonymous and self-completed questionnaire in the classroom. The questionnaire was administered to 1,290 enrolled male and female students, which comprised a proportional sample of the main areas of knowledge at University of Campinas. The questionnaire produced sociodemographic and psychosocial profiles and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test was used to detect hazardous use of alcohol. Results The prevalence of hazardous use of alcohol among the study participants was 24%. Male gender, subjective perceived social support in case of difficulties, being sexually active, not dating, having smoked tobacco cigarettes or marijuana, and having used other illicit psychoactive substances were associated with hazardous use of alcohol. Discussion Variables related to gender, sexuality, affective partnerships, and consumption of other psychoactive substances were associated with hazardous use of alcohol, which was identified in a quarter of the evaluated students, and indicate the need for strategies to prevent and to treat problems.

Objetivo: Descrever o perfil sociodemográfico e clínico de pacientes submetidos a eletroconvulsoterapia (ECT) em um hospital geral universitário. Método: Neste estudo retrospectivo, foram revisados os prontuários de todos os pacientes submetidos a ECT entre janeiro de 1988 e janeiro de 2008 na unidade psiquiátrica do hospital geral da Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Os pacientes/familiares foram contatados por telefone para a coleta de dados de seguimento. Resultados: Um total de 200 prontuários foram revisados. A maioria dos pacientes era do sexo feminino, com uma idade média de 39 anos e história de hospitalização psiquiátrica prévia. As principais indicações para ECT foram depressão e catatonia. Complicações foram observadas em menos de metade dos casos, e a maioria delas teve caráter temporário e não grave. Houve resultado psiquiátrico favorável em 89,7% dos pacientes, especialmente os catatônicos (100%, p = 0,02). Trinta e nove por cento dos casos foram contatados por telefone, a uma média de 8,5 anos decorridos entre o procedimento e o contato. Entre estes, três (1,5%) relataram transtornos amnésticos persistentes e 73% consideraram a ECT um bom tratamento. Conclusão: A ECT foi realizada de acordo com diretrizes internacionais. Na grande maioria dos casos, efeitos indesejáveis foram temporários e não graves. A resposta à ECT foi positiva na maioria dos casos, especialmente em pacientes catatônicos.

Objective: To describe the sociodemographic and clinical profile of patients who underwent electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) at a university general hospital. Method: In this retrospective study, records from all patients undergoing ECT between January 1988 and January 2008 at the psychiatric unit of the general hospital of Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) were reviewed. Telephone contact was made with patients/relatives to collect follow-up data. Results: A total of 200 charts were reviewed. The majority of patients were women, with a mean age of 39 years, and history of psychiatric hospitalization. The main indications for ECT were depression and catatonia. Complications were observed in less than half of the cases, and most were temporary and not severe. There was a good psychiatric outcome for 89.7% of the patients, especially for catatonic patients (100%, p = 0.02). Thirty-four percent of the cases were later contacted by telephone calls, at a mean of 8.5 years between the procedure and the contact. Among these, three (1.5%) reported persistent memory disorders and 73% considered ECT a good treatment. Conclusion: ECT has been performed according to international guidelines. In the vast majority of cases, undesirable effects were temporary and not severe. Response to ECT was positive in most cases, particularly in catatonic patients.