Sex differences in alcohol and tobacco use in Ecuadorian college students

This study aims to report levels, sex differences, and sex as a risk factor in alcohol and tobacco use among Ecuadorian college students. A descriptive and comparative method was employed. The sample consisted of 546 college students (69.1% women), aged between 17 and 41 years, from four universities located in the cities of Ambato and Quito. The results indicated low levels of alcohol and tobacco use, with significant sex differences showing higher consumption among men. Men were found to be 2.1 times more likely to consume alcohol and 3 times more likely to use tobacco compared to women. In conclusion, alcohol and tobacco use is a common behavior among the sample, with sex being a key factor in both the increase in consumption and the development of risky consumption patterns.