title: An epidemiological profile of drug abuse among elementary and high school students in the Cuiaba public school system, brazil, 1995
abstract: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a sample of 1,061 students to determine the epidemiological profile of drug abuse among elementary and high school students in the State public school system in Greater Metropolitan Cuiaba, Mato Grosso, Brazil, in 1995. Results showed drug abuse among both male and female students (27. 2% and 24.1%, respectively). Drug abuse was more common in students over 18 years of age (27.1%), with grade/age discrepancies (70.7%), with higher classroom absenteeism (44.6%), and with higher social economic levels (A+B=34.5%). The most frequently abused drugs among male students were alcohol (81.8%), solvents (18.6%), and marijuana (6.0%). Early alcohol abuse was also common (12.1 +/-3.6 years). In addition to alcohol (78.6%) and tobacco (29.0%), the substances most commonly consumed by students were solvents (14.9%), anxiolytics (6. 0%), and amphetamines (4.8%). The 1995 epidemiological profile of drug abuse among elementary and high school students in the State public school system in Cuiaba was similar data from nationwide surveys conducted in 1987, 1989, and 1993.
authors.affiliation: N&uacutecleo de Desenvolvimento em Saude, Instituto de Saude Coletiva, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Av. Fernando Correa da Costa, s/n, Cuiaba, MT, 78060-900, Brasil.
authors.initials: DPO
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.initials: DTO
authors.lastname: Martins