Prevalence of lifetime substance use and its association with socio-demographic and social network factors: a population-based cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of lifetime substance use among students in Tehran universities.MethodsIn this population-based cross-sectional study, 710 students in four universities, 32 faculties, and 96 classes in the multistage cluster sampling were recruited. Data were collected using self-reporting questionnaires. Descriptive bivariate and multivariate tests at the significant level of 0.05 were reported. All bivariate data with the p value of less than 0.2 were entered into the logistic regression analysis to determine the adjusted effect and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of substance use.ResultsThe prevalence of lifetime substance use in university students was 16.01% (N = 114, CI: 13.4-18.9). The results showed a significant difference between those who reported lifetime use of substances and those who did not in terms of contact with substance use-related social networks (OR = 1.89 CI: 1.39-2.59), intimacy with substance use-related social networks (OR = 1.60 CI: 1.35-1.94), addiction potential (OR = 1.02 CI: 1.01-1.04), use of substance by father (OR = 11.48, 95% CI: 4.12-31.99), gender (male, OR = 2.71, 95% CI: 1.44-5.11), marital status (married, OR = 9.41, 95% CI: 4.04-21.91), and education level (doctoral and post-doctoral degree, OR = 3.12, 95% CI: 1.36-7.13).ConclusionUniversities along with organizations dealing with substance use prevention should increase students' awareness about the dangers and effects of substance use by providing the necessary training and counseling programs.