PREVALENCE OF SUBSTANCE USE AMONG STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KERBALA
Keywords:
Substance, Students, Psychoactive chemicals, World Health OrganizationAbstract
Background Substance use refers to the use of any psychoactive substances or drugs, which include tobacco, alcohol, illicit, and licit drugs, other than which are medically indicated. Objective: To identify the prevalence of substance, use among Students of the University of Kerbala and to identify specific factors that may be associated with substance use in students of the University of Kerbala. Methodology Between March 1st and May 7, 2019, we conducted a cross-sectional study at the University of Kerbala. We obtained official approval, clarified the study's objectives to students who were present in that class before distributing questionnaires, and guaranteed that no one would ask for their names. This meant ensuring that nobody asked for names so no one was asked for name details unprotected, i.e., adequately protected by confidentiality agreements; thus, their identities remained unknown; therefore, none of their names was sought after; hence nobody's name was warranted during this exercise or ever collected at all times including while taking this survey since each participant had different needs for privacy’s sake.”. Result This research showed that the most used substance by students was cigarettes; 23% of students had used tobacco in the last 12 months, and the study revealed that alcohol consumption was 4.2% among students. Self-reported rates of lifetime illicit drugs was 3.1%, and lifetime licit drug use was 6.3%. Conclusion Smoking use are increasing in Kerbala and is the most prevalent of substance use among students at the University of Kerbala; alcohol use is present among students but not in addictive patterns; drug use is also present in limited numbers; rate of current and lifetime substance use in female is very low.
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