Praxis Medica (Jan 2017)
Prevalence of the use of psychoactive substances and its connection with the socioeconomic characteristics of students
Abstract
Youth is a critical age to begin experimenting with alcohol and tobacco, whereby social prestige, self-assertion, relaxation from difficulties, the way of showing rebellion against authority and valid social norms are cited as motives. Consumption of alcohol and tobacco during the period of personality formation leads to permanent behavioral disorders, while the biological characteristics of young people determine the faster development of addiction to these substances regarding to adults. In addition, the social position of young people and the position of their families are extremely jeopardized. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of tobacco and alcohol use among students of the University of Priština with a temporary headquarters in Kosovska Mitrovica, i.e. to establish the connection between these habits and the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the students. The research was done as a cross sectional study on a representative sample of students of the University of Priština with a temporary headquarters in Kosovska Mitrovica, in March and April 2011. The survey covered 567 subjects. The questionnaire served as a research instrument, the same that was used in researching the health behavior of students from other universities in the Republic of Serbia in 2000. The data were processed using descriptive statistics while the hi-square test was used to analyze the data. Out of the total number of surveyed students, a quarter (24.7%) answered that they were smoking cigarettes, while 91.4% of our respondents tasted alcohol. The highest proportion of respondents from the Faculty of Arts claims to consume cigarettes, students who get 4001-5000 dinars per week, as well as respondents who are 'not particularly satisfied' with the their choice of faculty. The highest proportion of male students and students whose weekly pocket is from 2001 to 2000 dinars consume alcohol.
