Patterns of substance use and predictors of class membership among university male students: a latent class analysis

ABSTRACT

Background

This study aimed to identify latent classes of substance use and predictors of class membership.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was performed on 1894 Students. The sample was selected through multi-stage sampling from four universities. Latent class analysis was performed to achieve the study objectives.

Results

Three latent classes were identified; 1) non-user (68.1%), 2) sedative-hypnotic drug user (29.4%), and 3) polydrug user (2.5%%). Low self-esteem and low self-efficacy increased the odds of membership in sedative-hypnotic drug user and polydrug user compared to non-user class. Age (OR = 1.29), self-injury (OR = 1.93), having a physical fight (OR = 9.25), low self-esteem (OR = 1.88), and low self-efficacy (OR = 5.28) are associated with polydrug user class.

Conclusion

Focusing on enhancing self-efficacy and self-esteem with considering other related factors may help design and execute effective programs to reduce substance use among students.

KEYWORDS:

• Latent class analysis
• substance use
• self-efficacy
• self-esteem
• university students

Disclosure statement

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

Ethical approval and consent to participate

The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Ilam University of Medical Sciences. Permission to conduct the study was obtained from this committee. All students had signed an informed consent form.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Ilam University of Medical Sciences