Prevalencia y factores asociados al consumo de sustancias ilegales en adultos de Cartagena, Colombia

Abstract

IntroductionThe use of illegal substances is a public health problem due to the individual and social harm it causes. The most recent national study reported high prevalence of illegal substance use among adults. A small sample of people from Cartagena, Colombia participated in the present research. ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence and factors associated with illicit substance use among adults in Cartagena. MethodA cross-sectional research was carried out. Adults between the ages of 18 and 49 years completed a self-reported questionnaire. The questionnaire included demographic information, current or lifetime use of illegal substances, CAGE questionnaire, WHO-5 index, and family APGAR scale. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were done. ResultsA total of 609 adults completed the questionnaire, mean age was 29.7 years (SD=10.1). A group of 112 participants (18.4%) reported illegal substance use once in a lifetime. Illegal substance use was associated with daily smoking, family dysfunction, being male, low self-esteem, problematic use of alcohol, and less religiosity. ConclusionThe prevalence of illegal substance use is high in Cartagena. It is associated with male gender, daily smoking, problematic use of alcohol, family dysfunction, low self-esteem, and less religiosity.