Individual and Environmental Factors Associated with Tobacco Smoking, Alcohol Abuse and Illegal Drug Consumption in University Students: A Mediating Analysis

Abstract

Substance abuse is a major and prevalent public health concern among university students. Tobacco smoking, risky alcohol behavior, and illegal drug consumption may lead to health problems and behavioral and academic issues. Several individual and environmental factors associate with substance abuse in this population, and the mediating effect of alcohol abuse in the relationship between tobacco smoking and drug consumption is yet to be explored. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the association of individual and environmental factors and substance use, and to analyze the relationship between tobacco smoking, alcohol abuse, and drug consumption, considering alcohol abuse as a possible mediator. A total of 550 Spanish undergraduate and postgraduate students completed several questionnaires regarding their smoking status, alcohol use, and drug consumption during the last six months. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to explore associations between factors. Direct, indirect and mediating effects were tested using a partial least squares approach (PLS-SEM). The results indicated that substance abuse is associated with being male, living with other students, and combined substance consumption. PLS-SEM showed a significant effect of tobacco smoking and alcohol abuse on drug consumption. Alcohol abuse plays a mediating role in the relationship between tobacco smoking and drug use.

The Effect of Peer Education on Decision-Making, Smoking-Promoting Factors, Self-Efficacy, Addiction, and Behavior Change in the Process of Quitting Smoking of Young People

“…[1][2][3] In the United States, about one in 13 Americans age 17 and older have smoked. 4 According to Young with Turkey Statistics Institute releases 2017 statistics, the incidence of smoking between the ages of 15-24, 28.2% for males and 7.8% for women. In the WHO 2018 report, the prevalence of smoking among young people; 20.6% boys, 26.6% girls in Italy; 18% boys, 20% girls in France; 6% boys, 8% girls in England; 5% boys, 3% girls in Norway.…”

“…1 University student can gain healthy behavioral changes by reaching the right education method, right place/ environment, right person/peer. [4][5][6] Therefore, youthfriendly units that carry out health-promoting practices are of great importance to optimize the health of university students, who have a significant population. 6,7 To optimize the health of students, who will be carried out in youth-friendly units that undertake the school health of universities, there is a need for health-promoting programs (for example, smoking quit, gaining healthenhancing behavioral changes).…”

Prevalence of Substance Use in University Students, Ethiopia

“…A higher odds of illicit drug use was also reported among male, tobacco smoking, and alcohol abuse Spanish university students. 43 The current study aimed to determine the frequency of cigarette smoking, illicit drug use khat chewing, and alcohol consumption among regular undergraduate students in the Institute of Technology, Addis Ababa University (AAU) and identifying the factors associated with their use. We hypothesized that demographic and mental health characteristics can be used to predict khat chewing, alcohol use, cigarette smoking, and use of illicit drugs among university students.…”

Cigarette, E-Cigarette and Waterpipe Use among Young Adults: Differential Cognitions about These Three Forms of Smoking

“…In most regions of the world, cigarette use continues to have a high prevalence among young adults [1][2][3]. Furthermore, the tobacco industry has responded to government regulations by promoting electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g., e-cigarettes) and heated tobacco products (e.g., aerosols) as "cleaner" or "reduced risk" products [4].…”