Multi-Substance Use Behaviors: Prevalence and Correlates of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) Use among University Students in Finland.

Walid El Ansari,Abdul Salam

doi:10.3390/ijerph18126426

Abstract

Virtually no studies appraised the co-use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) among Finn undergraduates. We assessed the associations between sociodemographic, health, academic, policy, and lifestyle characteristics (independent variables); and individual, multiple and increasing ATOD use (dependent variables) using regression analyses. Data were collected by online questionnaire at the University of Turku, Finland (1177 students). Roughly 22% of the sample smoked, 21% ever used illicit drug/s, 41% were high frequency drinkers, and 31.4%, 16.3%, and 6.7% reported 1, 2, or 3 ATOD behaviors respectively. Individual ATOD use was significantly positively associated with the use of the other two substances [adjusted odds ratio (Adj OR range 1.893–3.311)]. Multiple ATOD use was negatively associated with being single (p = 0.021) or agreeing with total smoking or alcohol ban policy on campus (p < 0.0001 for each); but positively associated with not living with parents (p = 0.004). Increasing ATOD behaviors were significantly less likely among those agreeing with total smoking or alcohol ban policy on campus (p range 0.024 to <0.0001). Demographics significant to either individual, multiple, or increasing ATOD use included males, being single, not living with their parents during semesters, and to some extent, religiosity. Age, depressive symptoms, perceived stress, self-rated health, health awareness, income sufficiency, and academic variables were not associated with individual, multiple, or increasing ATOD use. Education and prevention efforts need to reinforce abstinence from ATOD, highlight their harmful outcomes, and target risk groups highlighted above. University strategies should be part of the wider country-wide successful ATOD control policies.

Highlights

Introduction published maps and institutional affilAlcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use is a common societal problem globally.Worldwide, young people (15–24 years) remain more likely to experience substance misuse compared to the general population [1,2]
The gender differences across these variables are depicted in the table
Risky behaviors and use of different substances seem to congregate among the same people [33,34], where among young persons in Canada and Europe, smoking and heavy drinking were associated with problematical cannabis use [35,36]

Summary

Introduction

Introduction published maps and institutional affilAlcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use is a common societal problem globally.Worldwide, young people (15–24 years) remain more likely to experience substance misuse compared to the general population [1,2]. Tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use is a common societal problem globally. Young adulthood is a peak time for experimentation with substances, and the college environment is inherently risky for substance use behaviors [3]. The prevalence for ATOD use ranged between. A study of young adult past-month cigarette smokers revealed that 53%. Reported past month cannabis use [7], and 47.9% of polysubstance-using students reported consuming tobacco during their last cannabis use [8]. There is substantial correlation between the use of tobacco, alcohol, and other substances [6]. Cannabis use might predict transitions into, and maintenance of, tobacco use [9]. Evidence supports that marijuana and cigars are strongly associated and use of one substance predicts use of the other [10].

Methods

Results

Conclusion