Comparación del Consumo de Drogas en una Población Escolar de Género Masculino Utilizando la Metodología de Pares y el Cuestionario Auto Registrado Estándar

Abstract

The objective of this study is to compare the declared licit and illicit drug consumption, between paired methodology (MP) and self assessed questionnaire (CAR). We suggest that understatement of illicit drug use will be minimized with the use of peer methodology, and that licit drug understatement will not be affected using peer methodology. The population of this study is composed by male school students ranging between middle and high School. The sample reached to 301 students. The results obtained regarding illicit drug consumption in the year, tend to be higher using MP compared with the CAR. Similarly, last month consumption reached a higher prevalence using MP than using CAR. There are no significant differences in both samples, during both periods. Nevertheless, in the last 12 months, illicit drug consumption doubled the CAR report in comparison to MP. Regarding drug consumption in the last 30 days, the results also showed that CAR underestimated half of the rate stated using MP. Illicit drug consumption is significantly higher using MP, than CAR, in both periods that were studied. Illicit consumption rates of in the past year and in the last month are significantly higher using MP, particularly with Marihuana. There are no statistical differences in the same periods, regarding licit drug consumption rate, as alcohol and tobacco.