[Marijuana consumption in students of a Colombian university]

Describe pattern of behavior associated with the consumption of marijuana in students of the University of Tolima, Colombia, identifying their sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, frequency of consumption, attitudes, practices and assessments of health effects resulting from consumption.

Transverse Descriptive study realized in the University of Tolima in 2009. The sample was of 700 students aged between 15 and 25 years, belonging to the different faculties. The survey was adapted from the National School of Addictions of the National Institute of Epidemiology of Mexico, (2002) and it underwent to tests of construct validity , reliability and analysis of internal consistency (sends inland), with Cronbach's alfa, with value of 0.79.

The age of highest consumption focuses on the 18 to 21 age group, Men belonging to strata the 2 and 3 show the higher consumption. Those who live with one or both parents consume more than those who live alone or with friends. The consumptions are significant in programs as Topography, Architecture, Physical Education, Nursing and Medicine.

In spite of knowing the harmful effects to health, its influence in negative changes of attitude and poor academic results, the consumption of marijuana prevails in the University of Tolima, motivated, among others, for the easy acquisition of marijuana inside the campus. The higher poverty increases consumption. The type of information provided and the source are vital at the time of formulating prevention strategies.