Drug use among students of Tanta University: prevalence and correlates

ABSTRACT

Background

Drug use among university students have major health risks and economic losses. It poses great threat to social, economic, political, and security of societies.

Objective

To identify the prevalence of drug use among Tanta University students and some determinants and problems associated with it.

Methods

A representative sample of 7445 students from all faculties of Tanta University were recruited to fill in a pre-structured questionnaire sheet including data related to drug use and problems associated with it.

Results

The most commonly used substance tranquilizers during lifetime represented 8.4% while hashish was reported by 4.5%, bhang by 1.6% and Tramadol by 3%. Concerning current use, tobacco smoking was reported by 12.1% of males and 0.8% of females with a total prevalence of 4.9%. Concerning the current drug used, the first ranked were tranquilizers (3.3%), followed by hashish (1.9%) then alcohol (1.8%). Theoretical faculties showed higher prevalence of drug use compared to medical and practical ones except for tranquilizers which were significantly higher in medical faculties.

Conclusion

Tobacco is the most commonly used substance followed by tranquilizers besides alcohol and cannabis. Male students use drugs more than females. Preventive services should be directed toward university students to combat these phenomena.

KEYWORDS:

• Prevalence
• substance use
• university
• students

Acknowledgments

Authors of this study want to express sincere thanks to Mr. Amr Osman, Assistant Director of Social Solidarity and Manager of Fund for Drug Control and Treatment of Addiction for his kind support of this research. Thanks are also extended to students who shared in data collection.

Authors’ contribution

IA Kabbash: concept of the paper, statistical analysis, revision of the manuscript

OO Zidan: sharing in data analysis, literature review, sharing in writing the manuscript

EA Younis: sharing in data analysis, literature review, sharing in writing the manuscript

Ethical issues

1. The authors got approval from Internal Review Board of Tanta Faculty of Medicine for Research Ethics.

2. Written consent was obtained from each participants after clarification of the study objectives and activities.

3. Confidentiality was guaranteed and data were collected anonymously.

4. Those who were found to suffer from drug abuse and asked for help were referred to services funded by FDCTA for free and confidentially.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The research received funding form Fund for Drug Control and Treatment of Addiction (FDCTA).