Illicit substance use among Tunisian college students: prevalence and risk factors

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zedini Chekib ◽  
Nawel Zammit ◽  
Limam Manel ◽  
Mellouli Menel ◽  
Meriam Elghardallou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Risk Behaviors ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Academic Failure ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Illicit Substance ◽  
Illicit Substance Use

Abstract Background Illicit substance use among college students represents one of the most complicated social problems. Studying its predictors could help deal with this problem more efficiently. Aims To determine the prevalence of life time illicit substance use and its predictors among Tunisian college students. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in five colleges in the region of Sousse, Tunisia in the 2012–2013 school year. A sample of 556 college students responded to an anonymous self-administrated questionnaire. Collected data concerned socio-demographic characteristics and substances use. Results The mean age of students was 21.8 ± 2.2 years. Females represented 51.8% of participants. Among respondents: 31 (5.6%) had used illicit substance at least once. Cannabis was the main substance used by 26 (4.7%) students. The average age of the illicit substance use initiation was 19 (±2.5) years while it was almost 17 (±3) years for both tobacco and alcohol use initiations. Proportions of male students and academic failure were significantly more important among illicit substance users than among non users. While the most influential factors on illicit substance use were: alcohol use, tobacco use and low socioeconomic level. Conclusion This study highlights the strong association between the other risk behaviors and illicit drug use. Future interventions should focus on the whole risk behaviors simultaneously at late adolescence with regard to the environmental context.

scholarly journals Risk factors of illicit substance use among Tunisian adolescents of Sousse

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
H Ghali ◽  
S Bhiri ◽  
A Ben Cheikh ◽  
S Khefacha ◽  
M Tourki Dhidah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
Risk Behaviors ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Illicit Substance ◽  
Illicit Substance Use ◽  
Illicit Substances

Abstract Background and aims Adolescence is a period of physical, psychological and socio-cultural transformation, but also of curiosity, experimentation and acquisition. It is mainly during adolescence that people are introduced to the use of legitimate psychoactive substances, such as alcohol and tobacco, as well as illicit substances such as cannabis. Studying its predictors could help deal with this problem more efficiently. We aimed to determine the prevalence of life time illicit substance use and its predictors among Tunisian adolescents. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in two public schools in the governorate of Sousse during the 2017/2018 school year. The data were collected by anonymous self-administered questionnaire, then processed and analyzed using the SPSS software version 20. Results A total of 294 students were included. The mean age was of 17.03 years (standard deviation = 1.51). Females represented 56.1% of participants (sex ratio was 0.78). Among respondents: 60 (20.4%) had used illicit substance at least once. Cannabis was the main substance used by 35 (58.3%) students. The average age of the illicit substance use initiation was 16.3 (±1.1) years while it was 15.7 (±1.5) and 14.7 (±1.8) years for alcohol and tobacco use initiation respectively. Proportions of male students and academic failure were significantly more important among illicit substance users than among non users. While the most influential factors on illicit substance use were: alcohol use, and tobacco use (p < 10-3). However, no significant association was found between illicit substance use and video games and internet use. Conclusions This study highlights the strong association between the other risk behaviors and illicit drug use. Future interventions should focus on the whole risk behaviors simultaneously at late adolescence with regard to the environmental context. Key messages Our results highlight the need to better understand behaviors at risk in Tunisia and the perceptions of prevention policies among students. Mainly during adolescence that people are introduced to the use of illicit substances.

scholarly journals Independent risk factors for chronic illicit substance use during pregnancy

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 351-356
Author(s):  
Manuel C. Vallejo, MD, DMD ◽  
Robert E. Shapiro, MD ◽  
Mitchell W. Lippy, BS ◽  
Christa L. Lilly, PhD ◽  
Leo R. Brancazio, MD
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Illicit Substance ◽  
Illicit Substance Use ◽  
Academic Medical ◽  
Multiple Variable ◽  
History Of ◽  
Independent Risk Factors

Objective: We aimed to determine the incidence of chronic illicit substance use during pregnancy and to identify associated risk factors.Design: A 2-year time-matched retrospective maternal quality control database (n = 4,470) analysis of parturients with chronic illicit substance use compared to controls.Setting: A tertiary academic medical center located in a rural setting.Results: The rate of chronic illicit substance use was 1.95 percent. Demographic factors associated with chronic illicit substance use in pregnancy-included lower body mass index (BMI; OR: 0.93; 95 percent CI: 0.89-0.96, p 0.0001), higher gravidity (OR: 1.24; 95 percent CI: 1.13-1.36, p 0.0001), higher parity (OR: 1.38; 95 percent CI: 1.22-1.57, p 0.0001), and more live births (OR: 1.30; 95 percent CI: 1.16-1.46, p 0.0001). A history of smoking (OR: 10.51; 95 percent CI: 5.69-19.42, p 0.0001), alcohol use (OR: 48.98; 95 percent CI: 17.33-138.40, p 0.0001), anxiety (OR: 1.88; 95 percent CI: 1.16-3.05, p = 0.01), depression (OR: 2.44; 95 percent CI: 1.55-3.85, p = 0.0001), transfer on admission (OR: 2.12; 95 percent CI: 1.16-3.87, p = 0.01), payor insurance (OR: 2.12, 95 percent CI: 2.10-5.04, p 0.0001), and Apgar scores 7 at 1 minute (OR: 0.50; 95 percent CI: 0.25-1.00, p = 0.049) were significant. Multiple variable logistic regression-revealed BMI, smoking, alcohol use, and Apgar score 7 at 1 minute as significant factors.Conclusions: Awareness of these factors can assist in identifying and treating parturients with chronic illicit substance use.

scholarly journals Health Risk Behaviors: Smoking, Alcohol, Drugs, and Dating among Youths in Rural Central Java

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Zahroh Shaluhiyah ◽  
Syamsulhuda Budi Musthofa ◽  
Ratih Indraswari ◽  
Aditya Kusumawati
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Risk Behaviors ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Smoking Behavior ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Health Risk Behaviors ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Multiple Risk

Adolescents are more likely to adopt risky health behaviors, such as smoking, alcohol use, and sexual activity. This study examined the links betweensmoking, alcohol use, and risky dating behavior and analyzed how these factors influenced risky dating and other behaviors. It is expected that this studywould be used as a foundation for developing appropriate integrated intervention for multiple risk behaviors among youths. This study was an explanatory research study with a cross-sectional approach. It involved 160 youths aged 15-24 years randomly selected from purposive villages. Participants completedself-administrated questionnaires with an enumerator present. Data were analyzed using univariate, chi-square, and multiple logistic regression. Smoking behavior, leisure activity, and self-efficacy were predictors of risky dating behavior. The self-efficacy variable also influenced multiple risk behaviors. A strong association was found between smoking, risky dating behavior, and alcohol use. One-third of the participants had dated and smoked recently, but only 10% ofthem had experienced high-risk dating activity, including petting and intercourse. Only 5% had experienced alcohol use (in particular, traditional alcohol), andno one admitted being involved with drug abuse.

scholarly journals Licit and illicit substance use by adolescent students in eastern India: Prevalence and associated risk factors

2010 ◽  
Vol 01 (02) ◽  
pp. 076-081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dechenla Tsering ◽  
Ranabir Pal ◽  
Aparajita Dasgupta
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
School Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Illicit Substance ◽  
Adolescent Students ◽  
Illicit Substance Use ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

ABSTRACT Background: Use of tobacco, alcohol, and other substances is a worldwide problem and aff ects many adolescents. Objective: (1) To fi nd out the magnitude of licit and illicit substance use among students; and (2) to fi nd out the association between socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the students and habits of use. Materials and Methods: This was a population-based cross-sectional study conducted during June 2003 to May 2004. In a multistage random sampling among all the districts and schools in West Bengal, India, 416 high school students from two schools were selected. The main outcome measures were substance use, namely, tobacco, alcohol, and cannabinoids. From the schools, all the students in the classes VIII, IX, and X were taken as the study population and were administered a pretested close-ended anonymous self-administered questionnaire relating to pattern, frequency, and correlates of substance use. Results: The ultimate response rate was 87.02% and 416 students could be covered in our study. The overall prevalence rates among rural and urban students were 6.14% and 0.6% for illicit drug use, 8.60% and 11.04% for tobacco, and 7.37% and 5.23% for alcohol consumption, respectively. Both licit and illicit substance use was associated more with male students. Current and regular use were mostly restricted to tobacco, and the use of a substance by family members had a signifi cant impact on its use by their children. “Enjoyment” and “Curiosity” were found to have the major infl uence in their decision to use a substance. Conclusions: Early identifi cation of the magnitude and the factors related to substance use can improve scopes for planning and preventive approaches for this vulnerable group before the problems get serious after which interventions become diffi cult.

scholarly journals Panic disorder and psychoactive substance use in primary care

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andressa Jacondino Pires ◽  
Camila Corrêa Casanova ◽  
Luciana de Avila Quevedo ◽  
Karen Jansen ◽  
Ricardo Azevedo da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Panic Disorder ◽  
Dual Diagnosis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Psychoactive Substance ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Illicit Substance ◽  
Illicit Substance Use ◽  
Substance Involvement

Objective: To identify the association between panic disorder and licit and illicit substance use in the population provided with primary care in the southern Brazil. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with patients from three primary care centers. We used the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) to evaluate substance use and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) to diagnose panic disorder. Results: A total of 1,081 subjects were evaluated. The prevalence of panic disorder was 5.6%. Panic disorder was associated with using marijuana (p = 0.001), tobacco (p = 0.001), cocaine (p < 0.001), and other illicit substances (p < 0.001). Conclusion: A significant association is noticed between panic disorder and licit and illicit substance use, thus, it is interesting to rethink the approach to treatment/intervention in patients with dual diagnosis.

scholarly journals Adolescent Behavioral Characteristics Mediate Familial Effects on Alcohol Use and Problems in College-bound Students

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
April L. Brown ◽  
Roberto A. Espana ◽  
Chelsie Benca-Bachman ◽  
Justine W. Welsh ◽  
Rohan Palmer
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Family History ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Internalizing Problems ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Illicit Substance ◽  
Illicit Substance Use ◽  
History Of

Background: Alcohol use and problems are complex behaviours influenced by individual characteristics, such as temperament, mood. Studies suggest a broad spectrum of behaviours associated with drinking, which makes it unclear whether patterns of familial risk for drinking are directly or indirectly related to patterns of alcohol use and problems in late adolescence. Objectives: We examined direct and indirect effects of perceived family history of psychopathology on pre-collegiate alcohol use and problems via the Transmissible Liability Index (TLI).Methods: Participants (N=302; 29.6% male) provided self-report data on age of onset of drinking, past 90-day alcohol use and problems, family history of internalizing and alcohol and illicit substance use, and TLI. Results: Approximately 21% of participants reported having at least one relative with a history of regular and/or problematic alcohol use, compared to 12% for illicit substance use, and ~55% for internalizing problems. Higher TLI scores were associated with increased family history of substance use, alcohol use, and internalizing problems, as well as earlier age of onset of drinking. Family history of internalizing problems was the most robust indicator of AUP (β = 0.20 [95% CI = 0.04 - 0.36], p = 0.01). Path analyses suggested that the individual-level behaviours that comprise TLI mediate the effects of family history on age of initiation and regular alcohol consumption. Conclusions: Family history of internalizing, drinking, and illicit substance use reflect generalized risk for a broad set of behaviours associated with risk for alcohol initiation and use during the transition from high school to college.

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