title: Adolescents' perception of substance use and factors influencing its use: a qualitative study in Abu Dhabi.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this article is to gain a deeper understanding of the attitudes and perceptions of adolescents in the United Arab Emirates regarding substance and to identify factors that, in their view, may influence the risk of substance use and suggest possible interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a qualitative study that used a focus group approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male and female teenagers aged 13-18 years residing in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adolescents' awareness of substance use, patterns of use and associated harm; Adolescents' perceptions about the factors associated with substance use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six focus groups were carried out, and a total of 41 adolescents (20 males and 21 females) participated. Data analysis identified three main themes: (1) adolescents' awareness of substance use and associated harm; (2) gender role and image and (3) perceived factors affecting substance use among adolescents. Knowledge of substances and related consequences of use varied between groups but was compatible with participants' age and school years. Factors that participants believed influenced substance use were classified into: (1) parent-adolescent relationship, (2) peer pressure, (3) substance accessibility, (4) religiosity and (5) others. Many factors were believed to increase the risk of substance use among adolescents such as peer pressure, inadequate knowledge of the harmful consequences of drug use, family-related factors (e.g. low monitoring and poor parent-adolescents relationship), affordability and availability of substances, boredom and affluence. On the other hand, religiosity was as a shield against substance use, especially alcohol. Other identified protective factors included carrying out schools- and communities-based educational campaigns, enhancing social workers' ability to raise awareness and detect early signs of addiction and implementing CCTV systems in schools.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study was successful in exploring adolescents' awareness of substances and associated harm to health from their use. Also, it identifies a number of risk and protective factors based on the perceptions of a group of adolescents residing in the United Arab Emirates. Such factors can guide the planning, designing and implementing of prevention programmes that focus on raising awareness about the harms of substance use. The study findings would suggest that multifactorial prevention programmes that address social norms, gender role and image, and incorporate drug policy, religion, family and school would be more effective and may have better protective outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Research, National Rehabilitation Centre, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
authors.forename: Layla
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alhyas
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Research, National Rehabilitation Centre, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
authors.forename: Naseeba
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Al Ozaibi
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Research, National Rehabilitation Centre, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
authors.forename: Hisham
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Elarabi
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Research, National Rehabilitation Centre, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El-Kashef
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Research, National Rehabilitation Centre, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
authors.forename: Shamil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wanigaratne
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Research, National Rehabilitation Centre, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
authors.forename: Amna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Almarzouqi
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Research, National Rehabilitation Centre, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
authors.forename: Ayesha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alhosani
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Research, National Rehabilitation Centre, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
authors.forename: Hamad
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Al Ghaferi
keywords: adolescents; alcohol; drugs; perceptions; substance use; tobacco