Knowledge and attitude of dormitory students of Shahid Beheshti University of medical sciences about substance abuse in 2013

Abstract

The increase in substance abuse among youths and its complications form one of the most pressing health problems among students as an important and vulnerable group in society. The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge and attitude of dormitory students of Shahid Beheshti University of medical sciences regarding substance abuse in 2013. This is a descriptive-analytic cross sectional study carried out on dormitory students of Shahid Beheshti University of medical sciences regarding substance abuse in 2013. 604 male and female students living in the dormitories were selected via random sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire developed by the researcher based on the questionnaire used by Dehghan, and on a review of relevant literature and expert opinion obtained from professors of the field. Data were analyzed by SPSS16 using descriptive and analytical tests (Pearson correlation, T-test and chi-square). The mean score of knowledge of dormitory students at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences was 9.86±2.13. Most students (65.6%) had moderate knowledge about drugs. The subjects' mean score on attitude was 61.99±10.10. Most students (58.3%) had moderate positive attitudes towards drugs. Students are considered as major assets of a country. Therefore, planning and developing intervention strategies to prevent and reduce substance abuse among university students is essential and plays a major role in improving their health.