Substance use and related risk behaviors among junior high school students in Nakhon Pathom province, Thailand

Abstract

PurposeThe spread of drug use has been consistently increasing in Asia, posing a serious public health problem, especially among new addicts. In Thailand, the problem has persisted for decades leading to a consistent decline in the age of drug use initiation, making drug use an important social problem, especially among youngsters. This study aimed to examine the factors related to substance abuse risk behaviors among lower secondary school students.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire to collect the data from a sample of 624 students aged 12 through 18 years. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression to identify factors related to substance use risk behaviors.FindingsFactors associated with drug use risk behavior were access to drugs (0.882; <0.001), which had the highest predictive power, family relationships (−0.555; <0.001), self-esteem (−0.516; <0.001) and awareness about drugs (−0.412; <0.005).Originality/valuePrevention interventions that incorporate reducing access to drugs, strengthening family ties, boosting adolescents' self-esteem and increasing their awareness about drugs should be tailored to target homes, schools and communities. As the problem appears to be multidimensional, the full participation of all relevant stakeholders such as teachers, parents, religious and community leaders in the intervention programs is as essential as the interventions themselves.

Self-Esteem and Risk Behaviours in Adolescents: A Systematic Review

“…Regarding the results, on the one hand, in those obtained in the category of substance abuse, a negative relationship prevails with alcohol consumption [ 40 , 41 , 45 , 46 ], although one study highlights that this relationship is only significant in adolescents of high socioeconomic status [ 44 ]. With regard to tobacco, the negative relationship also predominates [ 42 , 45 ], although one study notes that this relationship is significant only with cigarettes and not with hookah smoking [ 39 ] and another reports a non-significant relationship [ 40 ]. For cannabis, two studies report no or a weak relationship [ 38 , 40 ], respectively, and two others report a relationship [ 43 , 45 ], especially in older men [ 43 ], requiring further research to provide clarity on the relationship between these two variables.…”

“…With regard to tobacco, the negative relationship also predominates [ 42 , 45 ], although one study notes that this relationship is significant only with cigarettes and not with hookah smoking [ 39 ] and another reports a non-significant relationship [ 40 ]. For cannabis, two studies report no or a weak relationship [ 38 , 40 ], respectively, and two others report a relationship [ 43 , 45 ], especially in older men [ 43 ], requiring further research to provide clarity on the relationship between these two variables.…”