Factors associated with illicit drugs' lifetime and frequent/heavy use among students results from a population survey

• Published in: Psychiatry research Vol. 237; pp. 290 - 295
• Main Authors: Bitancourt, Tânia, Tissot, Maria Cristina Ribeiro Grilli, Fidalgo, Thiago Marques, Galduróz, José Carlos Fernandes, da Silveira Filho, Dartiu Xavier
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier Ireland Ltd 30.03.2016
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Adult; Brazil - epidemiology; Child; Epidemiology; Family relationships; Female; Health Surveys - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Male; Protective Factors; Psychiatry; Psychoactive drugs; Risk and protective factors; Risk Factors; Self Concept; Self-esteem; Street Drugs; Students; Students - statistics & numerical data; Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology; Survey; Young Adult; Risk and protective factors; Survey; Family relationships; Students; Self-esteem; Psychoactive drugs; Epidemiology
• ISSN: 0165-1781; 1872-7123
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.01.026

Abstract Substance use among teenage students and factors associated were investigated through a survey using a questionnaire adapted from the WHO's Program on Research and Reporting on the Epidemiology of Drug Dependence, additional questions on family factors and personal risks, and the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory, adapted to Brazil. The target population consisted of 3891 10–22-year-old students from the city of Embu das Artes, São Paulo, Brazil. The prevalence of lifetime substance use was 26.7%. Most commonly used substances were energy drinks combined with alcohol (19%), solvents (11.2%) and marijuana (4.8%). Almost 60% of the students had already tried alcohol and 18.2% had tried tobacco. Factors associated to lifetime substance use were: lower self-esteem, going to nightclubs at least twice a week, use of alcohol, trying tobacco, bad relationship with the mother, permissive mothers, practicing sports as an obligation, working, and higher socioeconomic level. Concerning frequent/heavy substance use, chances were found to be higher among students who had use tobacco and alcohol, going to nightclubs at least twice a week, and those with lower self-esteem. Preventive actions concerning drug use should focus on avoiding the first experimentation, approaching family relationships, and improving students' self-esteem.