ALPHA PSYCHIATRY
Original Articles

The prevalence and risk factors of psychoactive substance use among secondary school students in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

1.

Near East University

2.

Near East University

Alpha Psychiatry 2018; 19: 586-593
DOI: 10.5455/apd.293192
Read: 1037 Downloads: 600 Published: 01 December 2018

Objective: This study is a follow-up study of the study, which was conducted in 1999. In the light of the recent results, this study’s aim is to investigate prevalence of psychoactive substance use; such as cigarettes, alcohol and others, and to see the change in ratios compared to previous years. Methods: This study was conducted in March 2015, with 1487 secondary school students from state schools and private schools in TRNC. A questionnaire form consisted of questions about sociodemographic characteristics, use of tobacco, alcohol and other psychoactive substances was administered to the students. The questionnaire of the study was based on questions from the European Schools Research Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs, similar with recent school-based studies in TRNC. Results: Results showed that, the percentage of smoking at least once was 8.9%, alcohol use percentage was 36.3%, use of other psychoactive drugs (OPD) was 5.5% and the use of illegal substances was 3.9%. When the results compared with 1999 study, it has seen that illegal substance use was increased. Most commonly reason of using OPD were entertainment, curiosity and irritability. It was seen that first OPD use was decreased to the age of 11 and below. Smoking, alcohol use and being drunk were the risk factors for becoming probably users of illegal drugs. Conclusion: Research findings indicated that there is an increase in the use of different kinds of psycho-active substances. [Anadolu Psikiyatri Derg 2018; 19(6.000): 586-593]

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