Subgrouping University Students Based on Substance Use Pattern: A Latent Class Analysis

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Substance Abuse Research
• Sociology of Youth

Background:

• High-risk behaviors, including substance use, are leading causes of mortality and disability in youth and adults.
• University entry can be a transitional period, potentially exposing students to their first experiences with substance use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify distinct subgroups of university students based on their patterns of substance use.
• To investigate the influence of religiosity, parental support, and other factors on student membership within these identified substance use classes.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 524 students at Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences in 2016.
• Utilized a multistage sampling method and self-report questionnaires assessing substance use (WHO ASSIST), religious beliefs, and familial support.
• Employed Latent Class Analysis (LCA) via PROC LCA in SAS9.2 for data analysis.

Main Results:

• Three latent classes emerged: nonusers (87.5%), tobacco and illicit drug users (8.7%), and polydrug users (3.8%).
• Polydrug use was significantly associated with extramarital sex (OR=28.29), living alone (OR=4.29), and higher familial support (OR=0.94).
• Prevalence rates included hookah smoking (11.1%) and non-medical methylphenidate use (2.3%).

Conclusions:

• Approximately 12.5% of students engaged in tobacco/illicit drug use or polydrug use.
• Religiosity and familial support represent crucial elements for designing effective preventive interventions targeting young adult substance use.