Risk factors that may signify a propensity to the use of drugs in students at a public university

Abstract

Introduction:We sought to evaluate the risk factors that may increase the propensity to use licit and illicit drugs among students at a public university. Methods: The project involved students (n = 268) enrolled in the first and fourth years of courses in the areas of the social and biological sciences at a public university. Data collection was conducted by means of self-administered, semistructured questionnaires, based on such standardized assessment instruments as Audit, Assist, Cage and Duse. Collected data were analyzed quantitatively by calculating the percentages and evaluating the data in terms of categories of risk, classifying them by age, gender, religion, schooling, use (before or after entering university) and contexts of use. By means of this survey the researchers were able to correlate the use of drugs to the risk factors that might increase the students' propensity to use these substances. Results: The results revealed a high proportion of current drug-using students, but showed no significant differences between the first and fourth year students as regards contexts of use. However, 67% of students regarded the university environment as encouraging the use of drugs. Students pointed to such major risk factors as friends' and fellow-students' influence, university parties, excessive curiosity and desire to experiment. Conclusion: Due to the high rate of drug use among university students, by the determination of the risk factors related to the university environment and also knowing that the process of addiction is one of growing chemical dependence, the importance of the development and implementation of public health policies at all levels, especially in terms of approaches and specific interventions addressing this population, should be noted.

Fatores de risco associados à prática de atividade física de universitários no início e final da graduação

“…Outra variável que não se relacionou com a prática de AF foi a PA. A prevalência deste fator de risco entre universitários também é baixa e pode influenciar no resultado da relação, como já identificado na literatura 9 .…”

“…Entre os FRC relacionados ao comportamento, os mais comumente observados na população de estudantes são a utilização de tabaco, o consumo de álcool, os maus hábitos alimentares e a prática insuficiente de atividades físicas. Outros fatores são os indicadores de obesidade e pressão arterial elevada 2,3,4,9 .…”

Computer tool to evaluate the cue reactivity of chemically dependent individuals

“…Situations and places, such as parties and bars, as well as objects, such as bottles and glasses, rolled up papers, and lighters, were also found to be directly associated with craving and consequently with the drug [7,30] . These same items were considered risk factors in college environments by researchers [8] , who emphasized the high number of students consuming psychoactive substances. The authors also reported that drug addiction is a gradual process; therefore, attention and assistance through specific interventions with the implementation of awareness programs are necessary and important.…”

Addiction and relapse process

“…In this context, the family may represent structured support, friends who do not use, the extension pleasant moments without the use of psychoactive substances and strengthening of spirituality can be considered protective factors. Important to emphasize the ambiguity of the family's role in the treatment, being considered a risk factor or protection, it depends on the socio-historical context and familiar of the dependent [5,6].…”