EXPOSICIóN A LA VIOLENCIA Y EL CONSUMO DE SUSTANCIAS ENTRE ESTUDIANTES EN EL SUR DE BRASIL

Abstract

Cross-sectional study with probabilistic sample of 3,547 adolescents aged from 12 to 17 years old, 54.2% girls, from southern Brazilian schools that analysed the association between exposure to violence and substance use. Gender and age distribution in general population were controlled and sample proportions were assured. A self report measure was used to evaluate sociodemographic conditions, violence, substance use, psychiatric disorders, school performance, parental practices and relationship with parents and teachers. Descriptive analysis were hold, prevalence ratio for substance use were estimated by Poisson Regression, preceded by control for design effect by school variable. The analysis were adjusted by gender, alcohol and tobacco use by the parents and psychiatric disorders. Association between violence exposure and use in the year of all drugs investigated was found: tobacco [PR=2.49 (CI95%: 1.92-3.25) p<.001], alcohol [PR=1.46 (CI95%: 1.35-1.59) p<.001] and illicit drugs [PR=1.60 (CI95%: 1.27-2.01) p<.001]. When adjusting also for the use of other substances (for example: cocaine, crack), the association remained only for tobacco and alcohol. Prevalence substance use found are similar to national levels and there are evidences of significant and strong association of substance use and exposure to violence at school, mainly for alcohol and tobacco. It is recommended that public policies to improve school climate and school context should focus on school staff skills and competencies to prevent school violence and licit or illicit substance use by Brazilian adolescents.

Keywords

• drugs
• school health
• adolescence