Smoking and substance abuse prevalence in adolescents in a city of Turkey

Abstract

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of smoking and abuse of substance among young people aged 14-18 in a city of Turkey and to determine the relationship between smoking and substance abuse risk. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on high school students studying in Bingöl city center. The universe of the study consists of 14000 students studying in 14 high schools. The minimum sample size required to be reached in the sample size analysis with reference to 80% power and 99% confidence interval was found to be 1235. According to the stratified sampling method, the students were randomly reached in schools and questionnaires were conducted under supervision by taking their consent. Chi-square test, Binary Logistic Regression test were used for data analysis. Results The mean age of the students was 15.71 ± 1.16 (min-max: 14-18) and 49.5% were male. The prevalence of smoking among all students is 15.8%, addictive substance use / trial frequency 5% except smoking. The prevalence of smoking among male students is 24.1%, in female students 7.7%. The rate of using addictive substance was found to be 8.2% for male students and 1.9% for female students except smoking. According to the results of Logistic Regression; substance abuse increases 8 (95% CI:3,32-19,95) fold in smokers (p = 0,001) and 2.5 (95% CI:1,10-5,38) fold in men (p = 0,027). The risk of substance use increases 1.05 (95% CI:1,02-1,08) fold as the number of cigarettes smoked daily (p = 0,001). Substance abuse risk of 18-year-olds shows increase 1.5 (95% CI:1,06-1,93) fold according to 14 years old (p = 0,021). Conclusions Smoking and addictive substance use in adolescents are particularly remarkable in male students (8.2%). This result is higher than the data reflecting Ä°stanbul (7%). This may be due to the fact that the province is located at the crossing point of drug traffic. Smoking increases the risk of other addictive substances (marijuana, heroin, etc.). Key messages Smoking and substance abuse is an important health problem in adolescents according to this study. Male students smoke are at risk of substance abuse more than female.