Perception of tobacco smoking and drug use among university students
Abstract Objective To study the perception of the problem of drug use among university students. Methodology A descriptive cross-sectional survey covering all faculties in Tanta University, hosting 7445 undergraduate students. Data was obtained through filling in a self-administered questionnaire. R...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Discover Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00629-z |
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| Summary: | Abstract Objective To study the perception of the problem of drug use among university students. Methodology A descriptive cross-sectional survey covering all faculties in Tanta University, hosting 7445 undergraduate students. Data was obtained through filling in a self-administered questionnaire. Results Students showed strong rejection (> 80%) for all attempts to intake drugs. Two-thirds up to 91% of participants declared that the possibility of initiation of drug use is almost impossible for them. Less than one half (45.6%) knew the relation of drug use to HIV infection, 51.9%. For hepatitis B, 54.3% for hepatitis C, and 42.9% of sexually transmitted infections. Only 50.5% reported awareness of the drug use hotline, while 45.1% were aware of the hotline helping with quitting drug use. Knowledge about HIV/AIDS hotline (16.4%), HIV voluntary counseling and services (23.2%) was low. Risk factors for smoking were found to be significantly associated with being male (OR = 17.922), urban residence (OR = 1.773), and being a student in a theoretical faculty (OR = 1.450) On the other hand, other variables were found protective as younger age than 20 (OR = 0.555), fathers and mothers educational level below university (OR = 0.751 and 0.800, respectively), and second birth order (OR = 0.646). Conclusion Participating students had a positive attitude toward drugs and smoking. Students showed a moderate level of knowledge regarding relations between drug use and infectious diseases, and a low level regarding available services of protection and treatment. |
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| ISSN: | 3005-0774 |