Prospective Analysis of Prevalence, Trajectories of Change, and Correlates of Cannabis Misuse in Older Adolescents from Coastal Touristic Regions in Croatia.

Lejla Obradovic Salcin,Divo Ban,Vesna Miljanovic Damjanovic,Natasa Zenic,Anamarija Jurcev Savicevic

doi:10.3390/ijerph16162924

Abstract

The prevalence of illicit drug misuse, including cannabis, in Croatian touristic regions is alarming. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of cannabis consumption (CC), to identify associations between sociodemographic and sport factors and CC, and to evaluate the predictors of CC initiation in adolescents residing in touristic regions. This study enrolled 644 adolescents from two touristic regions in Croatia (Split-Dalmatia and Dubrovnik-Neretva County) who were tested at baseline (16 years of age) and follow-up (18 years of age). The study instrument consisted of questions focused on predictors (age, gender (male, female), place of residence (urban or rural environment), familial social status, and different sport-related factors) and CC outcome. The results indicated a high prevalence of cannabis consumption (>30% of adolescents consumed cannabis), with a higher prevalence in males, and adolescents from rural communities. The prevalence of CC increased by 10% during the study period, with no significant differences between genders in trajectories of changes. Quitting sports was a risk factor for CC at baseline and follow-up. Better sport competitive results (odds ratio (OR): 0.80, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.65–0.96) and familial social status (socioeconomic status: OR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.39–0.91; maternal education: OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.48–0.88) were associated with lower likelihood of CC at baseline. The adolescents who reported better sport competitive results were at increased risk for initiation of CC during the course of the study (OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.03–2.01). The protective effects of sports at baseline were most likely related to various factors that prevent the consumption of substances in youth athletes (i.e., commitment to results, adult supervision); with the end of active participation, adolescent athletes are at high risk for CC initiation.

Highlights

Croatia is a country located on the coast of the Adriatic Sea at the Balkan Peninsula
While it is known that tourism has numerous positive effects on society, the rapid rise of the touristic sector results in some negative consequences
The prevalence of cannabis consumption in adolescents from Croatian touristic regions was high at baseline and increased during the course of the study by approximately 10% with no significant difference in trajectory of increase according to gender or rural/urban residence

Summary

Introduction

Croatia is a country located on the coast of the Adriatic Sea at the Balkan Peninsula. After the devastating wars in the early 1990s, the country experienced exponential growth in the touristic sector and became one of the most popular touristic destinations in the world [1,2]. While it is known that tourism has numerous positive effects on society (increased employment, greater income for the local economy, and preservation and improvement of local services), the rapid rise of the touristic sector results in some negative consequences Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 2924; doi:10.3390/ijerph16162924 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph

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