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Factors associated with Ecstasy use in Turkish students
Aytül Corapçioğlu1, Kültegin Ogel
1Kocaeli University Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey. aytul@mail.koc.net
Addiction (Abingdon, England)
|December 18, 2003
Summary
Ecstasy use among Turkish secondary students increased from 2.65% to 3.31% between 1998 and 2001. Factors like male gender, older age, and other substance use predicted Ecstasy use.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Health
- Substance Use Research
Background:
- Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is an illicit psychoactive drug with potential health risks.
- Understanding the prevalence and correlates of Ecstasy use among adolescents is crucial for targeted prevention efforts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors associated with Ecstasy use in secondary school students in Turkey.
- To analyze trends in Ecstasy use over a three-year period.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 1998 and 2001, involving a representative sample of 10th-grade students across Turkey.
- Questionnaires adapted from international studies (Monitoring the Future, ESPAD) assessed demographic, family, school, social, and substance use characteristics.
- Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify significant predictors of Ecstasy use.
Main Results:
- Lifetime prevalence of Ecstasy use increased from 2.65% in 1998 to 3.31% in 2001.
- Significant predictors of Ecstasy use included male gender, older age, and the use of alcohol, cannabis, heroin, and cocaine.
- Non-medical use of psychotherapeutic drugs and participation in substance use adverse effect meetings also predicted Ecstasy use.
Conclusions:
- Ecstasy use, though low, shows an increasing trend in Turkish secondary students.
- The correlates of Ecstasy use in this population align with patterns observed for other illicit drugs.
- There is a need for personalized, informative educational programs in schools to address and reduce Ecstasy use.