Substance Use Among Adolescents, and Influencing Factors in Şanlıurfa

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate substance use by students in the 7-12th grades. Materials and Methods: The research was conducted as a descriptive study in Şanlıurfa, which has a very young population, between September 2014 and March 2015. The research sample comprised 54.928 students in grades seven through twelve. The research data were obtained using a survey form prepared by the researchers according to the literature, and expert opinions were obtained from three specialists in the field before administering the survey. The data were evaluated using SPSS 17. Written permission from the relevant institutions and the verbal permission of the participants were obtained for conducting the study. Results: Of the students, 51.6% were male, 23.8% were in ninth grade, 81.1% had 4 or more siblings, and 40.1% were the fourth or more in sibling order. While 23.2% were working when not at school; 6.3% smoked tobacco, 2.4% were using substances other than cigarettes, and 13.1% were acquainted with substance abusers. Those who said they used substances due to curiosity made up 31.3%, and 29.9% said they used substances to feel more powerful. The smoking and substance use rate was higher for male students, working students, students with extremely domineering families and students exposed to domestic violence. Conclusion: These data obtained on substance use by students and the factors that affect it suggest that studies should be carried out on substance use prevention, family awareness should be increased and prevention policies should be developed and implemented.

Keywords

• Adolescents
• addiction
• substance use