PSYCHOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF SUBSTANCE USE AMONG SOUTH AFRICAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

2001 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 799-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Peltzer ◽  
Dorothy Malaka ◽  
Nancy Phaswana
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
University Students ◽  
South African ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
First Year ◽  
Psychological Variables ◽  
Psychological Correlates

The present study sought to investigate the relationships between substance use and psychological variables among 799 first-year South African university students chosen by random sampling. Psychological correlates (in terms of minor psychiatric morbidity, perceived stress, sensation-seeking, self-esteem, subjective health, and anomia) of substance use were found to be associated with the use of specific substances. Sensation-seeking was associated with the use of cannabis, alcohol and tobacco; minor psychiatric morbidity with cannabis and alcohol use; and anomia with cannabis use. Logistic regression on cannabis use identified male gender and sensation-seeking as independent predictors for current cannabis use.

scholarly journals Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Is Associated With Increased Meningococcal Carriage Acquisition Among First-year Students in 2 South African Universities

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Meiring ◽  
Cheryl Cohen ◽  
Linda de Gouveia ◽  
Mignon du Plessis ◽  
Karistha Ganesh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
University Students ◽  
South African ◽  
Relative Risk Ratio ◽  
First Year ◽  
Adjusted Relative Risk ◽  
Vaccination Programs ◽  
South African Universities ◽  
First Year University ◽  
Carriage Prevalence

Abstract Background Invasive meningococcal disease clusters occur among university students and may reflect higher carriage prevalence among this population. We aimed to measure meningococcal carriage prevalence, acquisition, and risk factors among first-year university students in South Africa. Methods In summer–autumn 2017, after consenting to participate, we collected oropharyngeal swabs and questionnaires on carriage risk factors and tested students for HIV at 2 universities, during registration week (survey 1) and 6–8 weeks later (survey 2). Meningococci were detected by culture and polymerase chain reaction. Results We enrolled 2120 students at registration. Mean age was 18.5 years, 59% (1252/2120) were female and 0.8% (16/1984) had HIV. Seventy-eight percent of students returned for survey 2 (1655/2120). Among the cohort, carriage prevalence was 4.7% (77/1655) at registration, increasing to 7.9% (130/1655) at survey 2: 5.0% (83) acquired new carriage, 2.8% (47) had persistent carriage, 1.8% (30) cleared the initial carriage, and 90.3% (1495) remained carriage free. At both surveys, nongenogroupable meningococci predominated, followed by genogroups Y, B, W, and C. On multinomial analysis, risk factors for carriage acquisition included attending nightclubs (adjusted relative risk ratio [aRRR], 2.1; 95% CI, 1.1–4.0), having intimate kissing partners (aRRR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1–2.9) and HIV (aRRR, 5.0; 95% CI, 1.1–24.4). Conclusions Meningococcal carriage among first-year university students increased after 2 months. Sociobehavioral risk factors were associated with increased carriage for all analyses. HIV was associated with carriage acquisition. Until vaccination programs become mandatory in South African universities, data suggest that students with HIV could benefit most from meningococcal vaccination.

SEXUAL SENSATION SEEKING AND RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIOR AMONG SOUTH AFRICAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

2002 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 475-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon Mashegoane ◽  
Kgope P. Moalusi ◽  
Madikana A. Ngoepe ◽  
Karl Peltzer
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
University Students ◽  
South African ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Risky Sexual Behavior ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Risky Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Sexually Active ◽  
Sexual Sensation Seeking

This study investigated the association between the personality dispositions of sexual sensation seeking (SSS) and nonsexual experience seeking (Non-SES), and risky sexual behaviors among 308 sexually active South African university students. The students provided retrospective reports of their sexual behavior and completed measures of SSS and Non-SES. Findings, based on a sample of sexually active students, suggest an association between SSS and a number of risky sexual behaviors. Intervention strategies are discussed, incorporating a particular reference to cultural context.

Impulsivity and Sensation-Seeking Personality Traits as Predictors of Substance Use Among University Students

2017 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayman M. Hamdan-Mansour ◽  
Khadejah F. Mahmoud ◽  
Ahmad N. Al Shibi ◽  
Diana H. Arabiat
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
University Students ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Sensation Seeking

scholarly journals Effects of a Brief Web-Based “Social Norms”-Intervention on Alcohol, Tobacco and Cannabis Use Among German University Students: Results of a Cluster-Controlled Trial Conducted at Eight Universities

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. R. Pischke ◽  
S. M. Helmer ◽  
H. Pohlabeln ◽  
S. Muellmann ◽  
S. Schneider ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
University Students ◽  
Social Norms ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Intervention Effects ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Peer Substance Use ◽  
Peer Use

Background and Aim: “Social norms” (SN)-interventions are aimed at changing existing misperceptions regarding peer substance use by providing feedback on actual norms, thereby affecting personal substance use. It is unknown whether SN-intervention effects previously demonstrated in US students can be replicated in German students. The aim of the INSIST-study was to examine the effects of a web-based SN-intervention on substance use.Design: Cluster-controlled trial.Setting: Eight Universities in Germany.Participants and Measurements: Students were recruited at four intervention vs. four delayed intervention control Universities. 4,463 students completed baseline, 1,255 students (59% female) completed both baseline and 5-months follow-up web-based surveys on personal and perceived peer substance use. Intervention participants received feedback contrasting personal and perceived peer use with previously assessed use and perceptions of same-sex, same-university peers. Intervention effects were assessed via multivariable mixed logistic regression models.Findings: Relative to controls, reception of SN-feedback was associated with higher odds for decreased alcohol use (OR: 1.91, 95% CI 1.42-2.56). This effect was most pronounced in students overestimating peer use at baseline and under or accurately estimating it at follow-up (OR: 6.28, 95% CI 2.00-19.8). The OR was 1.33 (95% CI 0.67-2.65) for decreased cannabis use in students at intervention Universities and was statistically significant at 1.70 (95% CI 1.13-2.55) when contrasting unchanged and decreased with increased use. Regarding tobacco use and episodes of drunkenness, no intervention effects were found.Conclusions: This study was the first cluster-controlled trial suggesting beneficial effects of web-based SN-intervention on alcohol and cannabis use in a large sample of German University students.Clinical Trial Registration: The trial registration number of the INSIST-study is DRKS00007635 at the “German Clinical Trials Register.”

scholarly journals The information legislation (PAIA, POPI, RICA) awareness of undergraduate university students: A longitudinal study

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel Arthur
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
South African ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Research Problem ◽  
First Year ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
Methodological Framework ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Undergraduate University Students ◽  
Data Collection Instrument

Background: Governmental legislation directs and guides the manner in which organisations and individuals manage their information. This has a direct impact on the development of organsiational policy and procedures. An individual’s awareness of such legislation is of utmost importance in order to understand how individuals use information.Objective: The research problem is focussed on the awareness of information legislation by average South African first year student. The study goes on to further investigate how awareness impacts the manner in which users apply the knowledge to everyday use of their personal information.Methods: The study utilised a mono-method and quantitative methodological framework. The data collection instrument was a survey in the form of a questionnaire. The survey was conducted amongst 2017 undergraduate student and repeated in 2018.Results: The young adult demographic, of which the sample of undergraduate university students, findings indicated that the increase in awareness of Protection of Personal Information, Promotion of Access to Information and Regulation of Interception of Communication Act legislative acts directly impacted the students’ ability to manage and share their information more strategically. Students’ knowledge of the acceptance of the acts into legislation was not of great importance; however, the use of the acts concerning their personal information proved to be of greater significance.Conclusion: The study’s findings confirmed that the sample had been introduced to the idea of information legislation and that their awareness of the legislation does in most cases affect their use and management of their personal information. It also revealed that an in-depth knowledge of the legislation was not a necessity rather an overall understanding of the legislation was important. Recommendations for future studies arose from the study.

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