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Experimentation with psychoactive substances by public school students.
Maria Eliane de Andrade1, Igor Henrique Farias Santos2, Antônio Araújo Menezes de Souza3
1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde e Ambiente. Universidade Tiradentes. Aracaju, SE, Brasil.
Revista De Saude Publica
|September 7, 2017
Summary
Alcohol and cigarette experimentation is common among Brazilian public students, increasing after age 15. Religious practice appears to protect against alcohol use, while older age is a risk factor for alcohol and cigarette experimentation.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Health
- Substance Abuse Research
Background:
- Exposure to psychoactive substances is a significant concern in adolescent populations.
- Understanding prevalence and associated factors is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of psychoactive substance exposure among public basic education students.
- To analyze the association between substance experimentation and sociodemographic characteristics.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1,009 students in 20 public schools in Aracaju, Brazil.
- Data were collected using validated questionnaires, followed by logistic regression analysis.
- Chi-square tests and odds ratios were used to assess associations and significance levels.
Main Results:
- Alcohol (69.6%) and cigarette (12.4%) experimentation were prevalent.
- Age 15 or older was a risk factor for alcohol and cigarette use but a protective factor for inhalant and weight-loss medication use.
- Religious practice was associated with reduced alcohol experimentation.
Conclusions:
- Alcohol and cigarette use are common among surveyed students, with experimentation increasing after age 15.
- Age and religious practice are significant factors associated with psychoactive substance experimentation.
- Findings highlight the need for age-appropriate prevention strategies and the potential protective role of religious involvement.