Associação do uso de drogas lícitas e ilícitas, sexo e condição socioeconômica entre adolescentes de 12 anos de idade

Abstract

Background: Drug use among adolescents is on the rise, and the habit has been taking root at an increasingly early age. Objective: Investigate the correlation between use of licit and illicit drugs, sex, and socioeconomic conditions among 12-year-old adolescents. Method: Cross sectional study conducted with a representative sample of adolescents enrolled in public and private schools in the urban area of Diamantina, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Consumption of drugs was investigated using the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) instrument. School type, family income, and maternal education were used to investigate socioeconomic condition. Associations were tested using the Pearson’s chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests (p < 0.05). Results: The following drug consumption prevalence values were found: alcohol, 45.6% (260/588); marijuana, 1.5% (9/588), cocaine, 0.3% (2/588); inhalants, 1.7% (10/588). The male gender was statistically associated with consumption of marijuana (p = 0.018) and alcohol (p = 0.012), but not with use of inhalants (p = 0.536).