Drinking habits and performance in an attention test in young people frequenting discotheques

Throughout July and August 2002, at the same time as a campaign on driving safety, questionnaire and breath alcohol tests was submitted to young people outside the best-frequented discotheques of the Apulia area (Italy), to describe the role of alcohol intake in the evening-time amusement and assess its influence on their attention level. 217 young people, aged between 18-30 years, accepted to fill in a questionnaire, and undergo a 'breathalizer' test and attention test, before and after having spent time in the discotheque. The score difference between entry and exit on the attention test was -1.48 points and alcohol blood level increase up to 0.14 g/l. Established the lower reference limit for the attention test to be 21 points, it was found that 9.7% had an attention score lower than the reference limit, and 61.9% of this group had a blood alcohol level higher than 0.5 g/l. A linear regression model between the difference of blood alcohol level before and after the time spent in the discotheque and attention score on exiting from it, turned out to be statistically significant. It's necessary to go on with continuous police checks and informative awareness campaigns regarding alcohol use, driving and night amusement.