Predictors of Illicit Drug Use Among University Students in Northern Ireland, Wales and England

Abstract

Introduction:The use of illicit drug/s among university students is a public health concern. Nevertheless, many UK studies investigated a narrow spectrum of variables to explore their association/s with illicit drug/s use.Methods:We assessed the associations between a wide range of socio-demographic, health and wellbeing variables (independent variables) and having used illicit drug/s regularly, occasionally or never in life (dependent variables). Data (3706 students) were collected from seven universities in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, using a self-administered questionnaire.Results:About 5% of the sample had regularly used illicit drug/s, 25% occasionally, and 70% never. Regular drug use (RDU) was significantly more likely among males aged 21-29 years, daily smokers, those with heavy episodic drinking or possible alcohol dependency (CAGE test), and those who perceived their academic performance better than their peers. RDU was less likely among students with high health awareness and those living with parents. The predictors of occasional drug use (ODU) were similar to those of RDU. However, in addition, students with higher perceived stress were less likely, and students who felt financial burden/s were more likely to report ODU, while no association with academic performance was found. Never use of illicit drug/s was inversely associated with most of the variables listed above, and was positively associated with religiosity. Illicit drug/s use goes along with other substance use (alcohol and smoking). The finding that illicit drug/s use was higher among students reporting good academic performance was surprising and raises the question of whether illicit drug/s may be used as performance enhancing drugs.Conclusion:The factors identified with illicit drug/s use in this study could be utilized to develop appropriate public health policies and preventive measures for the health of students. Multilevel, value based, comprehensive, and strategic long-term intervention plans are required. This could include social interventions aimed at generating recreations alternatives and opportunities for youth, and a critical review for current authorities’ interventions and services. Suggestions for coping with problems of campus illicit drug use/abuse also need to be offered.

Prevalence and associated factors of illicit drug use among university students in the association of southeast Asian nations (ASEAN)

“…We found a wide range of the prevalence of illicit drug use ranging from as low as 0.2% in Cambodia to as high as 46% in Laos for infrequent use and from 0.0% in Cambodia to 5.5% in Laos for frequent use in the past 12 months. Overall, the prevalence of illicit drug use among university students across the nine ASEAN countries is considerably high and comparable with the prevalence rates reported in other countries [15, 17, 20, 22]. This finding supports the global concern that illicit drug use in university students is a significant public health issue that requires particular attention [32].…”

“…Peltzer and Pengpid, using data collected in eight countries in Africa and three countries in the Caribean, reported that the prevalence of infrequent (1–9 times) and frequent (≥10 times) illicit drug use in the past 12 months was 17 and 4%, respectively [19]. In the United Kingdom, 5% of the study sample from seven universities reported regularly using illicit drugs, and 25% reported occasional use of them [20]. Only a few studies have been conducted in Asian countries, and information on types of illicit drugs included in the studies were limited.…”

“…These factors included socio-demographic characteristics such as male gender [17, 20, 21], high family income [15, 22], living on or off campus on their own, living in an upper-middle- or high-income country [19] and financial burden [20]. Illicit drug use is also associated with the use of other substances including tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking [17, 19, 20, 23], internal states such as anxiety and depression [24] and violent behavior such as physical fight [19, 25]. Identified protective factors include older age [15, 19], higher level of religiosity [19, 26] and living with parents [17].…”

Advancing our understanding of religion and spirituality in the context of behavioral medicine

“…There is overwhelming consensus that religiosity, particularly attendance and often spirituality, are negatively related to alcohol, tobacco, and illicit substance use across the U.S. and other countries (El Ansari et al, 2014; Hatta, 2010; Hayatbakhsh et al, 2014; Kovaks et al, 2011; Rasic et al, 2011; Wang et al, 2015). Recent comprehensive reviews concluded that RS consistently negatively predicted substance use, possibly due in part to prohibitions against alcohol and other substance use inherent in some religions (Geppert et al, 2007; Kub & Solari-Twadell, 2013; Walton-Moss et al, 2013; Yeung et al, 2009); however, many cited studies did not control for possible confounds such as income or education.…”

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Substance Use Disorders by University Students: A Review of Literature

“…A study of seven universities in the United Kingdom reported 5% students sampled regularly using illicit drugs, and 25% being occasional users [23]. Another similar study in Wales reported common substances abused by university students were alcohol, cigarettes, cannabis, ecstasy, nitrous oxide and cocaine (2017).…”