Psychoactive substance use profile and risk factors in TRNC risky regions: Surlarici ve Maras primary school sample

Objective: The aim of the study is to examine the profile of psychoactive substance users in 5th grade primary school students in Nicosia/Surlarici (Walled City) and Famagusta/Maras regions, which are defined as special regions in TRNC. Methods: The study was conducted between May and June 2019 among 267 primary school students in 20 state primary schools affiliated to the Ministry of National Education and Culture in TRNC. In the study, the US Ministry of Education ‘California Healthy Children Questionnaire was adapted to Turkish and used. Results: Cigarette, alcohol and other psychoactive substance (OPS) use rates were found to be high in primary schools in private regions. In this study, lifetime prevalence of tobacco use was found to be 17.0%, alcohol use prevalence was 27.6% and OPS use prevalence was 8.6%. Conclusion: DPM usage is higher in primary schools which are in special regions compared to primary schools in TRNC regions. Sociodemographic characteristics such as low socioeconomic level, low level of family education and migration of the family have an effect on substance use in primary schools in Surlarici and Maras. [Anadolu Psikiyatri Derg 2019; 20(0.200): 25-29]