Tobacco smoking, alcohol and drug consumption among youngsters in the Republic of Macedonia.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate students attitude and behaviour (16 years old) towards their lifestyle in consumption of tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs; drugs' availability and the problems related; as well as some social and financial aspects; social relations of students etc.


METHODS
A survey was conveyed with students from different ethnic groups--16 years old from every school in the country. ESPAD 99 unified questionnaire was used.


RESULTS
TOBACCO: 42% persons responded that they have never taken tobacco in their life. 17% has taken a cigarette 1-2 times and 20% have used tobacco over 40 times/occasions (Macedonians 22%, Albanians 11% (12 = 24.92 for p < 0.05). During the last month, 37% youngsters in Macedonia have taken tobacco (in Ireland-41%, Finland 37%, Italy 36%, Croatia 32% and Slovenia 19%). ALCOHOL: 31% persons responded that they have never tried alcohol in their life (Macedonians 20%, Albanians 77% and Turks 76%). Ti is the similar situation for not-taking alcohol during the last year (Macedonians 30%, Albanians 83%, Turks 76%) and in the last month (54% Macedonians, 88% Albanians and 85% Turks). 33% responded they have been drunk at least once in their life 51% Macedonians, 11% Albanians and 14% Turks), and during the last month 20%. Most frequent used alcohol drink is wine (4.4% have used it over 40 times during the last month). Asked if they think they will take alcohol when they will have 25 years, 33% Macedonians, 73% Albanians and 77% Turks responded negative. ILLEGAL DRUGS: Around 1/4 stated that their friends are taking marijuana. 2.5% stated that most of their friends take marijuana. 8% stated that their friend take ecstasy, 3.6% stated that some of their friends take heroin. 5% responded they have taken tranquilizers-sedatives in the period less than 3 weeks. In average, 2.8% respondents wanted to try illegal drug--Serbs- (20.6%), Roma (21%) and Macedonians (14.3%), Albanians (6.5) and Turks (6.9%). 1.28% stated they have smoked heroin 1-2 times. Intravenous heroin used over 40 times 0.4% respondents. Ecstasy tried 1-2 times 0.64%, alcohol + tablets took 2.9% respondents. Alcohol and marijuana in the same time tried 1-2 times in life time 2.37% or in total 4.13%. Asked if they feel themselves lonely, positively responded 28% or 26% Macedonians, 37% Albanians, 35% Turks and 30% Serbs. Asked if they are satisfied with the finance situation in their home 32.4% responded very satisfied. There is significant difference among different ethnic groups (Macedonians 23%, Albanians 71%, Turks 54%, Serbs 27% and Roma 47%). Not satisfactory situation is at 8.36% Macedonians, 0.7% Albanians, 2.3% Turks, 5.9% Serbs and 5.2% Roma.


CONCLUSIONS
58% persons responded taken tobacco in their life. There are significant differences in alcohol consumption among different ethnic groups--Albanians and Turks take alcohol more rarely than Macedonians, due to the cultural/religious circumstances. Experimenting with drugs is Ok for males-more than females. However, youngsters are pretty lonely (1/3 have stated that they are lonely most of the time). There is a need for realization of health promotional curricula in schools, that will include life skills education and strengthening of personality, self esteem development and care for their own health to prevent drug addiction.
Onceva
S
S
Faculty of Medicine, Skopje, R Macedonia.
Donev
D
D
Gligorov
I
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003625:Data Collection; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018843:Republic of North Macedonia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*