title: Factors associated with illicit drugs' lifetime and frequent/heavy use among students results from a population survey.
abstract: Substance use among teenage students and factors associated were investigated through a survey using a questionnaire adapted from the WHO's Program on Research and Reporting on the Epidemiology of Drug Dependence, additional questions on family factors and personal risks, and the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory, adapted to Brazil. The target population consisted of 3891 10-22-year-old students from the city of Embu das Artes, São Paulo, Brazil. The prevalence of lifetime substance use was 26.7%. Most commonly used substances were energy drinks combined with alcohol (19%), solvents (11.2%) and marijuana (4.8%). Almost 60% of the students had already tried alcohol and 18.2% had tried tobacco. Factors associated to lifetime substance use were: lower self-esteem, going to nightclubs at least twice a week, use of alcohol, trying tobacco, bad relationship with the mother, permissive mothers, practicing sports as an obligation, working, and higher socioeconomic level. Concerning frequent/heavy substance use, chances were found to be higher among students who had use tobacco and alcohol, going to nightclubs at least twice a week, and those with lower self-esteem. Preventive actions concerning drug use should focus on avoiding the first experimentation, approaching family relationships, and improving students' self-esteem.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tânia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bitancourt
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Cristina Ribeiro Grilli
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Tissot
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: taniabitancourt@amplitudeclinica.com.br.
authors.forename: Thiago Marques
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Fidalgo
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychobiology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: José Carlos Fernandes
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Galduróz
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Dartiu Xavier
authors.initials: DX
authors.lastname: da Silveira Filho
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008297:Male; D065840:Protective Factors; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs
keywords: Epidemiology; Family relationships; Psychoactive drugs; Risk and protective factors; Self-esteem; Students; Survey