[Relationship between problem solving skill and ecstasy usage among adolescents]

Life skills play a significant role in adolescents' health promotion and have a positive effect on modifying their high-risk behaviors. A great deal of studies has shown that problem solving may affect drug usingbehavior. The purpose of this study is to determine adolescents' problem solving skill and its relation with ecstasy usage among adolescents of the west of Tehran. In a cross-sectional [correlative] study. Eight hundred adolescents ranging from 16-18 years old residing in the western public regions of Tehran participated in the study. Problem-solving skill was determined using "problem solving inventory". Adolescents' usage of ecstasy was measured by a self-structured questionnaire. The questionnaires were completed by participants after obtaining an informed consent. Our finding revealed that most of participants [69.4%] enjoyed good problem-solving skills. Also, findings indicated that 7.6% of adolescents have experienced ecstasy usage once at least. There was a significant relationship between problem-solving skill and ecstasy usage in adolescents [P=0.001]. Regarding the findings, it is recommended to reinforce life skills in adolescents by emphasizing the role of parents, peers and friends to prevent substance abuse. It isalso recommended that some programs are required to be executed regarding prohibited substances including ecstasy and their complications to increase publicgeneral information

[Adolescents' attitudes toward Ecstasy using]

Using illicit drugs such as Ecstasy is a deviant behavior in adolescents. Attitude toward using illicit drugs can predict its usage. This study was carried out in order to determine the adolescents' attitude toward using Ecstasy in 2006. In this cross-sectional study, eight hundred adolescents aged 16-18 years who lived in the west of Tehran recruited from public regions of municipality. Data was gathered using authors-structured questionnaire. After filling in informed consents, the questionnaires were completed by the respondents. Findings revealed that 78.9% of the adolescents had negative attitudes and 17.5% had positive attitudes toward using Ecstasy. Boys and girls attitudes were not significantly different. Regarding relatively high negative attitudes among the adolescents toward Ecstasy using, it seems that investments in health promoting programs were appropriate. Nevertheless, along with these programs, parents and teachers should pay more attention to the issue

Knowledge and performance of adolescents towards ecstasy abuse, in the west area of Tehran

Drug abuse is a kind of unhealthy behaviour or behavioural disorder especially among adolescents. Ecstasy is one of the most dangerous substance which is abused and has numerous harmful side effects. The aim of the study was to determine knowledge about ecstasy and the rate of ecstasy abuse among adolescents in 1385. the design was a cross-sectional study that was carried out in the West of Tehran. Eight hundred adolescents who were 16-18 years old and resided in the areas of West Tehran, were selected continously and participated in this study. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire consisted of items regarding knowledge and performance about ecstasy with some questions about demographic information. The study findings showed that 53.8% of adolescents had moderate knowledge regarding ecstasy. The difference between boys and girls' knowledge was not statistically significant. With respect to abusing ecstasy, the findings revealed that 7.6% of subjects used ecstasy at least once. Chi square test showed a significant difference between girls and boys performance about estasy abuse [P=0.000, x2=19.73]. Also there was not any significant relationship between knowledge and performance of the adolescents towards ecstasy abuse. The frequency of abuse of ecstasy was significantly different between male and female adolescents [P=0.000, x=19.73]. Relationship between knowledge about ecstasy and abuse of it was not significant. Based on the study findings, establishment of in-service educational programs related to life skills for teachers and parents in order to improve these skills in adolescent pupils are important. Public propagganda through billboards, posters, short messages regarding drug abuse consequences seem to be necessary among adolescents. Also educational programs by famous actors and sportsmen in order to attract public attention to increase knowledge about drug abuse and their harmful side effects will be useful as a preventive strategy