Socioeconomic Factors Associated with Psychoactive Substance Abuse by Adolescents in Serbia

Janićijević, Katarina; Kocić, Sanja; Radevic, Svetlana; Jovanovic, Mirjana; Radovanovic, Snezana

doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00366

Cited by 15 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 30 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…These results are consistent with those obtained for alcohol among school-going adolescents in Serbia. 29 In comparison, the results of our study contrast with those of the study conducted among school-going adolescents in Nigeria, which found that students aged 10-14 years were more likely to be engaged in substance use than older students. 18 The use of psychoactive substances by older students could be due to the repetition of experimentation and the need to try the effects of the substances.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…Students aged 20–24 years were 8.48 times more likely to be engaged in substance use compared to those aged 10–14 years. These results are consistent with those obtained for alcohol among school‐going adolescents in Serbia 29 . In comparison, the results of our study contrast with those of the study conducted among school‐going adolescents in Nigeria, which found that students aged 10–14 years were more likely to be engaged in substance use than older students 18 .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Prevalence, associated factors and level of dependence of substance use among urban secondary school students, Benin

Bio-Sya

Damien

Allabi

2022

Basic Clin Pharma Tox

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The use of psychoactive substances is constantly increasing, particularly among young people. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence, associated factors and the level of dependence of those substances among secondary school students in Benin. This cross‐sectional study included 627 students in grades 8–12, selected using a multi‐stage sampling technique. Data were collected using the ASSIST questionnaire, followed by urine screening. Logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate factors associated with substance use. Overall, the lifetime prevalence of psychoactive substance use was 95.4% (95% CI = 93.4–96.9), while the current use was 78.8% (95% CI = 75.3–81.9). The most commonly used substances in the past 3 months were alcohol, followed by stimulants and tobacco; 221 samples were analysed. Twenty‐two (9.95%) were positive by urine screening. Substances detected were tramadol, fentanyl, THC, K2, BZDs, alcohol, methamphetamine and cotinine. Of the current users, 2.27% (n = 11) were at high risk of dependency. An association was found between substance use and age (p = 0.02). In conclusion, this study came up with a high prevalence of substance use among students. There is a need to develop and implement a health education programme in secondary schools to raise awareness of the potential risks.

show abstract

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Prevalence, associated factors and level of dependence of substance use among urban secondary school students, Benin

Bio-Sya

Damien

Allabi

2022

Basic Clin Pharma Tox

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…There are plenty of studies which describe the socioeconomic properties of substance users (including legal and illegal substances); these studies consistently claim that disadvantageous socioeconomic situation significantly contributes to elevated risk of heavy/ problematic substance use (see e.g. Janicijevic et al 2017). In the light of the few adult population surveys implemented in the last few years, it can be assumed that NPS play a substantial role in the poly-consumption patterns of drug users (i.e.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Discriminative Characteristics of Marginalised Novel Psychoactive Users: a Transnational Study

Felvinczi

Benschop

Hout

et al. 2019

Int J Ment Health Addiction

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

New psychoactive substances (NPS) continue to be considered as a major public health concern in many European countries. The study was implemented within the framework of a transnational project of six European countries (Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal). Our aim here is to report on the distinct and differentiating characteristics of marginalised NPS users. Three subgroups of a total of 3023 adult NPS users (socially marginalised, night life, online community) were examined regarding their sociodemographic characteristics, substance use, and external motives towards NPS use. Poland and Hungary reported higher rates of NPS use in comparison to traditional controlled drugs. The external/contextual motives did not play a central role in the background of NPS use, the least important motives were alleged legality and non-detectability of these substances. Marginalised (defined as those accessing low threshold harm reduction services) users' substance use patterns are different from the other two groups in terms of showing more intense and riskier drug use. The most important variables which contributed to be categorised as a marginalised NPS user were lower level education, being older, having an unfavourable labour market position and using drugs intravenously. Contextual motives did not play a decisive role in being categorised as a marginalised user when drug use pattern was controlled. These identified discriminative features of marginalised drug users should inform policy makers to develop and implement tailor-made interventions targeting this user group to successfully tackle the elevated public health concerns associated with NPS use.

show abstract

“…Prior research has repeatedly shown that low socioeconomic status is a risk factor for substance use and related problems [ 26 – 28 ]. However, recent research from Canada [ 29 ], the United States [ 30 – 32 ], Serbia [ 33 ], Switzerland [ 34 ], and Sweden [ 35 ] suggest that high socioeconomic status too is associated with excessive substance use among young people, although for other reasons [ 29 – 34 ]. Previous research has highlighted two main explanations for excessive substance use among young people in families with high socioeconomic status; i) exceptionally high requirements to perform in both school and leisure activities and ii) absence of adult contact, emotionally and physically, due to parents in resourceful and affluent areas spending a lot of time on their work and careers [ 36 , 37 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How to prevent alcohol and illicit drug use among students in affluent areas: a qualitative study on motivation and attitudes towards prevention

Kvillemo

Hiltunen

Demetry

et al. 2021

Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background The use of alcohol and illicit drugs during adolescence can lead to serious short- and long-term health related consequences. Despite a global trend of decreased substance use, in particular alcohol, among adolescents, evidence suggests excessive use of substances by young people in socioeconomically affluent areas. To prevent substance use-related harm, we need in-depth knowledge about the reasons for substance use in this group and how they perceive various prevention interventions. The aim of the current study was to explore motives for using or abstaining from using substances among students in affluent areas as well as their attitudes to, and suggestions for, substance use prevention. Methods Twenty high school students (age 15–19 years) in a Swedish affluent municipality were recruited through purposive sampling to take part in semi-structured interviews. Qualitative content analysis of transcribed interviews was performed. Results The most prominent motive for substance use appears to be a desire to feel a part of the social milieu and to have high social status within the peer group. Motives for abstaining included academic ambitions, activities requiring sobriety and parental influence. Students reported universal information-based prevention to be irrelevant and hesitation to use selective prevention interventions due to fear of being reported to authorities. Suggested universal prevention concerned reliable information from credible sources, stricter substance control measures for those providing substances, parental involvement, and social leisure activities without substance use. Suggested selective prevention included guaranteed confidentiality and non-judging encounters when seeking help. Conclusions Future research on substance use prevention targeting students in affluent areas should take into account the social milieu and with advantage pay attention to students’ suggestions on credible prevention information, stricter control measures for substance providers, parental involvement, substance-free leisure, and confidential ways to seek help with a non-judging approach from adults.

show abstract

Socioeconomic Factors Associated with Psychoactive Substance Abuse by Adolescents in Serbia

Cited by 15 publications

References 30 publications

Prevalence, associated factors and level of dependence of substance use among urban secondary school students, Benin

Prevalence, associated factors and level of dependence of substance use among urban secondary school students, Benin

Discriminative Characteristics of Marginalised Novel Psychoactive Users: a Transnational Study

How to prevent alcohol and illicit drug use among students in affluent areas: a qualitative study on motivation and attitudes towards prevention

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About