Prevalence and factors associated to the use of illicit drugs and psychotropic medications among brazilian undergraduates

Abstract

The aim of this study was to verify the prevalence of use of psychoactive substances (PS) and its associated factors in undergraduate students of a university in southern Brazil. The study was carried out with 830 undergraduate students in the year 2016. The individuals answered a self-administered questionnaire about the PS and its prevalence of daily use, in the last 30 days or at any time of their lives, as well as socioeconomic conditions and academic variables. Caffeine-based energy drinks was the most consumed psychoactive substance (96.3%) among undergraduates in the last 30 days, followed by alcohol (64.0%). Among the illicit drugs most consumed in the last 30 days was marijuana (17.3%), while anxiolytics and amphetamines were the most prevalent psychoactive medicaments in the last 30 days. The prevalence of lifetime illicit drugs used by these students was 41.5%, where we highlight besides marijuana (38.6%) the high consumption of cocaine (7.8%), ecstasy (9.3%) and solvents. Socioeconomic and demographic factors such as gender, have children, religion, and financial background as well as academic variables were associated to recent consumption of these substances. This study concluded there is a high prevalence of use of PS among the undergraduate students, including illicit drugs.

Prevalence and correlates of substance use among undergraduates in a developing country

“… 34 But similar to what we reported, there was a very high rate of alcohol use. 34 These differences could be attributed to local preferences and population sampled.…”

“…The rates reported in this study are slightly different from what has been observed in countries outside of Africa where a markedly higher use of nicotine, marijuana, solvents and cocaine has been reported. 34,35 Unlike what we reported, gender, financial background and academic variables were important factors in the use of psychoactive substances. 34 But similar to what we reported, there was a very high rate of alcohol use.…”

“…34,35 Unlike what we reported, gender, financial background and academic variables were important factors in the use of psychoactive substances. 34 But similar to what we reported, there was a very high rate of alcohol use. 34 These differences could be attributed to local preferences and population sampled.…”

Cannabis use, risk behaviours and harms in Brazil: A comprehensive review of available data indicators

“…In 2010, a non‐representative sample of university students assessed by the Inter‐American Drug Abuse Control Commission showed a prevalence of 13.8% for past‐year cannabis use [61]. Regional (e.g., city or state) samples ( n = 52–9974) identified rates of 8%–42% for lifetime, 2%–44% for past‐year, 9%–18% for past 3 months, and 0.6%–23% for past‐month cannabis use between 1996 and 2021 [62–83].…”

Micronucleus in oral exfoliated cells and associated factors among young adults in the far south of Brazil

“…Socioeconomic and life style data were collected by a semistructured, self-administered, and anonymous questionnaire. The instrument used was adapted for the university setting (19) from a validated instrument and suggested by the WHO to identify the prevalence of drug use (20) , such as, frequency and time of use (last 30 days). Socioeconomic level were evaluated according to ABEP (21) .…”